The Washington herald., 1907-06-05
The Americas az The Haenr

A notable feature Of the approaching
Hague conference will be the promi-
nent part likely 10 be taken in its deIiber-
ations by American governments, Of which
twenty-one will be represented. With the
| United States at their head. these govern
ments will come before the conference
with a number Of proposals as 70 the
terms Of which there viii be pretty gem
eral agreement. Among these are the
Drsgo doctrine. relating 20 the use OF
force in the collection Of debts due from
the citizens Of one country 10 those Of an
other; the Argentine proposal for a third
conference at BUenOs Ayres. and the eX-
tension Of the principle OF arbitration In
addition, should the United States insist
on the discussion Of the question Of the
limitation Of armaments. il would have
the support OF most Of the American re-
publics as we'll as that Of Great Britain.
whose government is now reported 10 be
anxious 10 shift the responsibility for the
introduction of that topic 20 another
power in order 10 avoid incurring the dis
pleasure Of Germany. Secretary Root is
understood TO be favorable 10 a discus
sion Of the question. whether II promises
10 result in affirmative action or not The
British government is believed 20 be will
ing 20 urge an agreement among the
states represented at the conference limit
ing their yearly peace expenditure for
military and naval purposes 10 the aver
age yearly expenditure for such purposes
during a certain period preceding the
agreement The plan presents obvious
economic advantages while it does not
seem 10 affect present programmes for
naval construction, or. in fact any other
military project provided IL be carried on
without an addition TO the war budgets
Of the contracting powers As these
budgets are now at maximum for all
the militant powers. or nearly so. the
British proposal is by no means Ttopian
Russia. Germany. and Austria. however.
continue strongly opposed 10 the discus
sion Of the armament question in any
phase at the coming conference. The
Russian foreign office adheres TO the posi-
ton taken in its note Of two years ago.
that the discussion Of the armament ques-
tion can lead 20 no useful result. and may
have the effect of bringing about bitter
political controversies IN gathering de
voted to peace The Cars government
stresses the importance Of developing the
scope and machinery OF The Hague tri-
bunal. and thinks It desirable 10 settle
some Of the pending problems affecting
the civilized conduct Of war, such as the
rights and obligations Of reutrals. the
question Of what constitutes contraband
of war. and the inviolability of private
property under an enemys flag. The IA
miliar maxim. "fn time Of peace prepare
FOR war is thus given a fresh application
and meaning. e., In time Of peace agree
on the rules Of combat.
In a certain sense, therefore the Amer
icas and Europe, excluding Great Britain
will occupy opposing ground at The
Hague. The New World will take an ad-
vanced position. up 10 which it will be
difficult to bring the European powers. So
the net outcome Of the conference will, Of
necessity. be a series Of compromises. as
nothing can be determined except that
which can be universally agreed to.