The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-15
AS COUNTRIES READY
 FOR OPENING TODAY
The City Blossoms Out In Flass.-A Stirring Picture-vast Camp of the Nations of the
 World.


 lives of forty-six countries are here for the opening of the second conference to- morrow. There is remarkable contrast between the sentiments prevailing upon the eve of the conference of 1899 and today. In 1899, although less than half as many governments were represented, the hopes of the world were high and there was a vision of disarmament and the banishment of war among civilized peoples Today, with the conference world parliament in the fullest accept ance of the term, the delegates met in more peculiar spirit. Two wars have been fought since 1899, and the military budgets are heavier, but disarmament has not been preached even. At the same time the delegates admit that the public agitation in favor of reduction is strong CT than in 1899. The trouble, they say, lies in the European situation, which is so delicate that no single power is ready to propose formula.
 The powers favoring a discussion of proposal to reduce armaments fear that unless it Is brought up the whole idea may fall into universal ridicule.
 A tant thing to avoid Is discord, and with the purpose of permitting a further ex- change of views, ft ias baen decided to ,a Boone the second session until Tues day. pfa
 Conference OvershadoWed.
 The antagonism of Great Britain and Germany overshadows the conference. The Germans are suspicious that the group of powers of which Great Britain Is the backbone, intend to maneuver her into a position where the failure to do anything toward limitation of armaments will be laid to her door.
 In the event of a clash the immense strength of the United States position, free of European suspicion and backed by Latin America, is universally recog- nized. For this reason the American dele gates will act with circumspection. They held two conferences today, in which the situation was canvassed.
 Blossoms In Flags.
 This city suddenly blossomed out with flags this morning, every civilized country on the globe hoisting it's standard over the hotels and legations, clustered about the two principal squares, while the hotels
  multi-colored banners snappng in stiff breeze, formed a stirring picture. It was like a vast camp of the nations of the world The weather could not have been finer cool with bright sunshine.
 Practically all the belated delegations arrived during the day.
 Delegations Reach City.
 The English twenty-five strong, headed by Sir Edward Fry, judge of the chancery division of the British high court of jus tice and member of the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague, reached The Hague early by way of Holland; Joseph H. Chote, William I. Buchanan, U. M Rose and Charles Henry Butler and the remainder of the Americans travelling on the same steamer. Soon after their ar rival the latter held their first meeting under the presidency of MT. Choate.
 The Germans, Italians and many South and Central Americans came by train
 .l Nelidoff head of the Russian dele gation, after conferences with the lead ing plenipotentiaries and an examina- ton of the text of the address which the minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands will deliver tomorrow tele- graphed to St. Petersburg suggesting cer- tain changes. The importance of these changes is not known.
 Message to Emperor.
 Following the precedent established in 1899, the minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands on the opening of the conference in The Hague tomorrow, will propose that the conference consist of a message of greeting and appreciation to Emperor Nicholas, and in return that Nelidoff will move massage of thanks for the hospitality of Queen Wihelmina, and the government of the Netherlands. w. H. Beaufort, head of the delegation of the Netherlands will propose that M Neidoff be elected president of the conference. After the inaugural cere- mony the entire delegation will make a tour of the hall of knights.
 The attitude of Germany in favor of admitting the press to the plenary ses- sions Is regarded as settling this point in the affirmative.
 M Tsuhuki, head of the Japanese dele gation. speaking to the correspondent of the Associated Press on Japan's attitude said that the delegates of that country had been given the widest latitude In their Instructions. There was considerable mis- apprehension abroad he said. concern ing Japan's reservation to withdraw if in her opinion the consideration of any particular subject would not lead to a useful result. The inference that this reservation referred to the limit of the question of armament. he said, was i'm correct The reservation had been made before the question of the limitation of armaments was broached