Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-30
M0HOnk CONFERENCE
Noted Peace Farley Opened
This Morning.
MANY NOTABLES PRESENT
Address by President John W. Foster
of This City.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS TODAY
Review Of the Years Work--Invita-
ton for Second Hague Con-
ference Discussed.
OF OFFICERS TODAY

tWelILH duIludi conference on lHteIuaC1OQal
arbitration opened today. with an attend
ance of 800 diplomats, jurists. congressman.
ciergymen. educators. editors and phiian-
thropIsts. The opening address was deliv-
cred by Albert X. Smiley.
Mr.. Smiley was followed by ex-Secretary
of State John w. Foster. who delivered the
following address as president of the con-
ference:
President Fosters Address.
1--WE congratulate ourselves on the as
sembling of the twelfth annual conference
on international arbitration today with the
reign of peace among all the nations OF the
earth. The hopeful promise now Is. not
only that peace reigns, but that the ma
tons striving to preserve peace The
third meeting of the American states is
about to occur at Rio de Janeiro to concert
measures for greater harmony in their
work of developing commerce. industry. in
teiligence and justice. And 1t Is proposed
that this assembly in the western hemt-
sphere shall be followed by another
conference of all the nations of the world
at The Hague in the interest of peace and
humanity The gratifying feature of this
second conference in Europe is that It is
responded to with alacrity by all the gov
itation and jealousy which marked the first
convocation. 1t will be the first time
the history Of the human race when all
the independent nations have come together
to confer on their mutual interests Verify
the world is moving on toward the era OF
peace and good will among men.
with this inspiring picture before u.s.
regret to have to direct your attention to
another phase Of the coming worlds con-
gress which Is not encouraging. The
main object of the first Hague conference
was expressly set forth in the program to
be the limitation of the ornaments Of the
nations. The first call for the second
Hague conference was issued during the +,
progress of the Russo-Japanese war by
President Roosevelt but after its close the
Emperor of Russia asked and was ac-
corded the privilege of sending out the
formal convocation. The discouraging fea-
ture OF 1t to which l have alluded Is that
In the program of subjects to be considered
the limitation of ornaments has not been
included. 1t was hardly to be expected
that this measure would be suggested by
the power whose armies so recently had
been driven from the field and its navy
annihilated- But 1t Is of equal Importance
with the general acceptance of the prin-
cfple of arbitration that some measure
shall be adopted to put a stop to this
eVer-1ncreasing competition OF the great
powers in the enlargement of their stand
Ing armies and navies. 1t is mockery OF
sincerity and consistency to solemnly en-
ter into treaty compacts for the settlement
OF International disputes by peaceful arbi-
tration while the high contracting parties
continue to strain to their utmost their
taxing capacity and their credit in prepare
lions for war.
II recognize that the limitation of arma-
ments is encompassed with many difficult
ties, but 1t Is no more impossible of reali-
cation than general arbitration treaty
seemed a few years ago. l earnestly hope
our governments delegates TO The Hague
VIII take the lead in bringing about an
agreement the Co.
limitation, and, IL possible, a reduction in
ornaments. But l do not lose sight of the
fact that even in our own country the prop
osition does not meet with universal favor
there is abroad In this land a Charvan-
istic spirit of miltarism and a disposition
10 belittle the efforts of the friends of
peace The War and Navy departments
are constantly appealing to Congress for
increased appropriations to put them I'm
proper condition for war. The lately re-
tired commanding general of the army has
announced In public address that we must
prepare ourselves for the next war and a
prominent admiral of the navy goes so far
as to Indicate the nation which is to be our
next antagonist.
why this constant harping on the next
war when there is no human probability
of having one? II we attend to our own
business and allow other nations to attend
to theirs there will be no occasion for
armed conflicts on our part. l do not be-
lieve In the white mans burdenS in the
sense indicated by the lingo British poet,
the author of the phrase. Our mission as
people, living in security of this conf
nent separated by wide oceans from any
other great military power Is to maintain
here a model republican government and
democratic institutions which shall stand as
a beacon of hope for the oppressed of all
countries, to develop our marvellous re-
sources, to encourage commerce Industries
and intelligence, and by our example pro-
mote peace and Justice among mankind.
1t Is high time that the peace-loving
people or America should call a halt In our
naval expenditures. We have the authori-
tative statement of the chairman OF the
committee on appropriations of the present
Congress, made In the House only few
days ago, that the appropriations for the
navy by the last two Congresses amounted
to S3SS, los, 715, or more than twice as much
as 1t would cost to build the Panama canal;
that We are expanding for the current fiscal
year 1915, $50, 719 for military purposes or
o. per cent of the total expenses of the
government. and that as a consequence no
appropriations can be made for the neces-
sary demands or commerce In river and
harbor Improvements and for public build
ings. or the people must have new taxes
leveled upon them to meet these enormous
war expenses. Such being the issue. the
discussion of the limitation of our arma-
ments Is likely to pass from the peace
societies to the over burdened taxpayers.
Our legislators who have been deaf to the
appeals Of friends of peace and arbitra-
ton may meet q reckoning at the ballot
box"
President Foster Reelected.
The following officers were chosen: Presi-
dent. John w. Foster. Washington. d. c.:
secretary. Clinton Rogers Woodruff, Phila-
celphia: permanent corresponding secretary.
p. II. Phillips. Lake Mohonk, N. Y: treas
urer. Alexander C. Wood. Camden. N. J.;
business committee. John Stiffness, Provi-
dence. r. l.. chairman; publication commit
tee, DIR. Benz. F. Trueblood. Boston, chair
man: press committee. Albert e. Hoyt, AL
bany. chairman; finance committee. Warner
Van Norden. New York chairman
DR.. Benz. F. TruebIood of Boston gave
review Of the past years work OF the con-
ference.
This was followed by discussion of the
czar's recent invitation to the second Hague
peace conference. led by Judge j. H. Sti-
ness of Providence. r. l., In which the omis-
sion from the proposed program of the limi-
tation or reduction or armament was criti-
cised by several speakers.
Verdict for Richmond Man at Norfolk
c~,.~fs1 v,t.u.&oA -, rv.x GA.