The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-09-20
RUSSIA CAUSED
DISAPPOINTMENT
War Being Over, Peace Conference
Is Now in Order.
ROOSEVELT PROPOSED IT
RUSSIANS NOW IN POSITION TO
ACCEPT.
ROOSEVELT PROPOSED 1T

Washington, Sept. 19-"It seems TO
The president that the high task under
taken in seeking TO bring about an
agreement OF the powers to meet in a
second peace conference is virtually ac-
complished SO far as it is appropriate
Tor him To act, and. that with the gem
erai acceptance of his invitation in
principle, the future conduct of the at
fair may fifty follow its normal chan
nels. To this end it is suggested that
the further and necessary interchange
OF views between the signatories of the
acts of 1899 be effected through the in
ternatiOnal bureau under the control
OF the permanent administrative coun-
ell of The Hague"
invitation Was Tentative.
These words of the late John Hay,
written Dec. 10 last, as an instruction
10 the representatives Of the United
States accredited 10 the governments
signatOry to The Hague convention,
embody the last official action of this
government looking TO recOnVening
Of The Hague conference, according 10
the records of the state department
On Oct. q. 1904. Secretary Hay by di-
rectiOn of the president invited the
powers to a second conference, fixing
no date and suggesting an exchange Of
cred. 1t was distinctly stated that the
invitation was tentative. These ex-
changes soon followed, and on Dec. Is
Of the same year, Secretary Hay wrote:
Powers All Accepted.
4 THE replies SO far received indicate
that the proposition has been received
with general favor No dissent has
found expression. The replies of Japan
and Russia conveyed in like terms q
friendly recognition of the spirit and
purpose of the invitation, but on the
part of Russia the reply was accompa~
mel by the statement that. in the exist
ing condition of things in tho far east
II would not be practicable for the inn,
bertaf government. at this moment, 20
take part i'm such a conference"
Therefore. the president turned over
TO the administrative council the con-
duct of the further negotiations neces-
sary 10 secure an enUHciatiOn of the
views of the respective powers TO clear
the way for the conference.
Meaning of Cars Invitation.
1t is pointed out that in doing this
the president particularly looked to the
government of The Netherlands to
Issue the call for the second conference,
and il is the present understanding that
this VIII be done. 1t is assumed that
what has happened in St. Petersburg is
that the Russian government which, as
above noted, caused the postpOnement
of the second conference on account OF
war. is now about TO notify the admin
istrative council that it is now willing
10 proceed TO the second conference.
The state department so far has not yet
been informed of this decision, but it is
disposed to accept the St. Petersburg
RdVices as conclusive on that point.
The next step in order if the normal
course is followed is a definite accept
ance by the powers of an invitation
naming Il snecitic date for the confer
ence and this probably will contain
reservations by most of the powers with
the purpose of securing limitations Of
the programme of topics TO be cOnsid-
cred. This may naturally be expected
10 consume. many weeks and perhaps
months, so it is improbable that the sec.
oud conference at The Hague viii meet
before the next calendar year.