The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-16
Conference at AIgecifas VIII
 Open This Afternoon
GERMANS MORE PEACEABLE
Much Speculation Is lndulged In as to What Attitude the United States Will Take In the Con-
 troversy.

Algeciras, January 15.-(6:15 p. m.)-The opening of the international conference on Moroccan reforms has definitely been fixed for 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The Duke of Almovodar the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, took the initiative soon after arriving here today in arranging plans for the beginning of the deliberations. All the delegates had arrived during the day, and each found a note from the duke advising that preliminary session for the purpose of organization would take place at o'clock tomorrow.
 It is expected that the duke will be chosen as the permanent presiding of- ficer.
 Interesting features this afternoon were the landing of Ambassador White, the American delegate. from the Ameri- can protected cruiser Galveston, and later the arrival of Samuel R. Gummere, min- ister to Morocco, the second American delegate, from Tangier on the French cruiser Galilee. The Galveston fired salute of twenty-one guns as she dropped anchor off the pier. The Spanish cruiser did not respond promptly, but the land batteries roared an answering salute
 CIrCle the SpdnlSH OtuioSi'
 The ambassador entered one of the Galvestons launches and the latter took a course circling the Spanish cruiser bio de La Plata. the sailors of which manned the yards and gave hearty cheers to the American delegate. It is singular fact that the Rio de La Plata was presented to Spain by South American countries after the destruction of the Spanish fleet in the war with the United States. The American launch then circled the Spanish cruiser Marina de La Molina, the sailors Of which also cheered MT. White and his companions.
 On landing Ambassador White was greeted by the governor general and the alcalde, who escorted him to his hotel.
 MT. Gummere was similarly saluted when he arrived on board the Galilee. He was accompanied by Portuguese and a Belgian delegate and by Louis Einstein, third secretary of the American embassy at London who will act as sec retary to the American delegation.
 As the delegates assemble there is no outward evidence of tension, but on the contrary there Is a notable exchange Of amenities between the German and French delegations. There is, however an under current of sentiment that supreme dip- lomatic struggle Is imminent with France and Germany occupying the center, and
  grees around them.
 Lining Up for the Fray.
 The French count upon Great Britain. Spain, Italy and Russia, as sure, and consider that the ties between the United States and France and Great Britain war rant them in expecting the support of the American delegates. On the other hand, the prevailing sentiment Is that Germany can count on Austria, Holland and Swed- en. and parhaps on Denmark with Ger many also expecting that the United States will support some of her conten- tions
 Now that the delegates are here the scene before them is suggestive. Plainly visible arises the gigantic rock of Gibral- tar, like lion guarding the straits while dimly outlined to the southward are the low mountains of Africa Algeciras lies in the center of this panorama. Thus the powers of the world are gathered at the southernmost point of Europe and their longing hopes toward peaceful settle ment is the keynote to the meeting about to begin.