Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-09-16
70 CALL HAGUE MEET.
President Will invite An international
Conference.

WaSn1nSC COfS Sept 10. : IcSiuCHs
Roosevelt will, within week, take his
final step in connection with the RUS
so-Japanese war.
He will issue a call to the powers to
hold an international conference which
shall amend the treaty of The Hague
so as to make it more difficult for two
nations to go to war, and should they
do SO, to compel them to adopt more
humane tactics than We're observed
during the struggle which has Jusu
closed.
Tho Horrors of War.
The idea to call such a conference
has been in the presidents mind for
more than a year-almost, in fact,
from the time the war between Russia
and Japan began. The action Of the
belligerents in planting mines so that
they drifted in the path of neutral
commerce, causing the loss of innocent
shipping and death of persons who had
no interest whatever in the hostilitles,
the capture and sinking of neutral ves-
{ sells Because they had aboard what was
construed to be contraband of war; the
immense damage done to private prop
erty-all these things of first impor-
tance to every people in the world-de-
termined the president to use his ef-
forts to induce the powers to make
large amendments to The Hague
treaty.
Powers Hesitated During War.
He communicated with the powers
last year as to the advisability of hold
ing a conference, but while there was
provisional acceptance, it was evident
that fear Of Offending Russia and Jap
an by adopting proposals which might
reflect upon their course and limit their
future action, made several nations
hesitate about appointing representa-
tives. Russia and Japan were not pre-
pared to participate in the congress
while they were engaged in a deadly
struggle. The president has decided,
therefore, to issue second call and to
suggest a meeting some time during
the winter.
Tho American Commission.
The old commission of the United
States comprised Andrew D. White,
former ambassador to Germany; Seth
Low, of New York; Stanford Newell.
minister to the Netherlands; Captain
A. T. Mahan, retired,Sof the navy, and
Brigadier General William Crozier,
chief or the army Bureau of ordnance.
Some Of these men may be reappointed
AS Mr. Newell is no longer minister to
the Netherlands, he probably will not
serve, but an appointment will be. Civ
en- DR.. David j. Hill, formerly assistant
secretary of state, who is accredited
to The Hague government; and who
always has taken especial interest in
the peace movement.
Subjects for Conference.
It is expected that the president, in
the circular he will ISSUE will make
suggestions as to the subjects which
should be considered.
The president acted boldly in step
ping in during the Portsmouth negotia-
tions, and has today International fame
as result of the way in which he
brought those negotiations to sue
cessful conclusion. BY calling the sec
ond Hague conference. and having
adopted measures which will limit the
hardship and sufferings in future wars,
he will still further increase the debt
humanity and civilization owes him.
With American prestige at such a
high point at the present time the
president will be able largely to guide
the work of the proposed congress, and
thus will emphasize his right to the
title of peacemaker.