New-York tribune., 1906-04-08
HAGUE DATE NOT BEST
SUGGESTION FROM o. S.
Meeting in July Would IncOnven-
icnce american Countries.

Washington. April THE State Department
has notified 10 the Russian government
through Ambassador Rosen that the time sug-
kested in the Russian note for the second Hague
Conference, namely, the early part Of JULY
would be inoonvenient to America and to some
OF the other countries OF this hemisphere which
had expected to be represented at The Hague.
Tie reason for this action was that the
ceptsnce of the early part of July as the date
for ire conference would perhaps lead TO
conflict N:th the approaching Third international
American Conference, The date icr which had
already been fixed for July -. OF course ii
would be easy for any country desiring to take
part in both of these conferences to appoint two
sets OF delegates, though the expense Of Going
so is a question that could not be entirely over
looked in the case of some of the less prosperous
Of the smaller American republics.
But il realized that in arranging last
week the programme for the Rio Janeiro confer
ence, In at least two instances il was contem-
plated that certain action proposed to be taken
in it should be referred 10 The Hague, which.
Of course could not be done unless the Rio
meeting preceded the other. First in order on
the programme in the list of such subjects was
this:
A resolution affirming the adherence Of the
tion for the settlement OF disputes arising be-
tween them. and expressing the hope of the
republics taking part IN the conference InaI lIe
would agree upon general arbitration conven-
tion that could be approved and put in opera
1ion 10y every country.
The second ana perhaps more important refer
ence TO The Hague in the Rio Jareiro programme
IS found in this paragraph:
A resolution recommending that the second
peace conference at The Hague be requested to
consider the extent TO which the Of force for
collection of public debts is permissible
The latter proposal involves the validity of
the famous Calvo doctrine, which is most of all
desired 10y South and Central American repub-
lies 10 be engrafted upon recognized interna-
Ilonal law.
1t is said at the State Department that there
was no reason whatever to suspect that the
Russian government or that of The Hague
which had joined in The invitation to fix the
date for The Hague meeting in early July had
considered that such date might have an in
furious effect the Rio conference On the
contrary, there We're good reasons why the Rus
sian choice should faIl on that season. In the
first place, it was expected that the first Douma,
or Russian constitutional assembly which meets
IN May would not be long in session. and that
its early adjournment would leave the Russian
government free to devote its attention TO The
Hague conference, in which the Russian En-
peror feels deep interest. Then the season
IN July is understood to be The best in the year
IN Holland, while the weather becomes inclem
ent in The late fall and winter, and even in
early spring. thITd reason, Of considerable
weight in Continental Europe is that nearly all
the parliaments are in recess in summer, and
the convenience of the various foreign offices
would be suited by conference then.
II is said at the State Department. however,
that October is also pleasant at The Hague. and
IL is expected that by that date the Rio confer
ence viii have completed its work, that nc
conflict would follow. The State Department
has not suggested this. in fact any other
date, in its communication to the Russian gov
eminent but it is probable that this will fol-
low later on, after all Of the powers invited to
The Hague conference have had opportunity
10 express their pleasure to the programme
and the date, for in this matter all stand on an
equal footing.
'RumOrs that Russia had any thought of pre-
venting South American republics from taking
. part in The Hague conference by suggesting
N July as the time for holding the conference are
without foundation" said Baron ROsen, the
Russian Ambassador, to-day Russia took the
initiative in inviting the Latin-American repub-
lies To participate in The Hague conference, and
she would certainly do nothing to prevent their
representation at The Hague.
July suggested by Russia after consul
taton with the Netherlands, the power which is
10 act host OF course. the Netherlands is
the first country which should be considered,
for it is 10 undertake the entertainment. There
no thought that The Hague convention
would in any way interfere with any other con-
Ventjon if fixed for July