The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-14
HAGUE CONFERENCE A FIASCO
RI SSIA'S CYNICAL OBST RUCTION
WRECkING 1T.
Great Powers Feel More 80 uid ne D0ne by
Diplomacy Their Jealousy or Each
Other the Ears Shield Hell Have No
Hand On Next Peace Move Anyway.

Hand IN Next Peace Move Anyway.
Special Cable Despatch 10 The SUN.
The HAGUE. July ia statesman OF
Bismarckian mould. IL such existed now in
Europe, would probably kill the Peace Con-
ference as an institution by some rough
ridicule. He would be helped by the Ma
grant d~isconnection between it's rules OF
procedure, and the modest, serious work
thai some of its leading members are striv-
ing to do.
The exasperating pointlessn ess of stages
ruled out for committee discussions to pass
through is primarily due to Russia. The
Government clings to its parental authority
over the Cars creation. but it shows
neither respect for it's present nor gener-
osity for its future. Count Nelidof. whose
amiability is taxed to the limit to protect
his s~overeign's faineantism, Is about TO
abandon the attempt to preside seriously
over the deliberations of the conference
and resume his health cure elsewhere.
But no overdue consideration on his part
for the conference can obliterate the role Of
an absolute Distractions which the Rus
sian Government is playing.
Most Of the great European Powers are
convinced that anything that. may be
achieved by the present clumsy congress
could be much better handle through
the regular diplomatic channels. but their
recent policy has been to join in a mutually
Jealous conspiracy TO call Russia a great
Power. None of them is volunteering to be
the first to fiout her. yet none Of them is
willing 10 forego a fraction of it's national
interests 10 restore the Car to his self
created pedestal Of the Christian friend Of
all mankind.
The position of the Car as a jealous
parent OF the conference is beginning to be
recognized rs 10 indefensible that. before
il separates, some tacit arrangement will
probably have to he come TO that he is to
nave no privileged position in regard to
future reunions.
The matters on which enough agreement
NAV be obtained to base an accepted rule
Of conduct are now reduced to the detail
of maritime laws. Even on these Russia
remains a cynical obstructionist, whore only
intelligent decisions are taken when she
sells her vote to her ally. He attitude on
the conversion OF merchantmen into war
ships il still the same that sought to defend
the passage 81 the ships OF her subsidized
volunteer feet under q commercial nag
through the Dardanelles, which are closed
10 naval Tonnage, and the subsequent hoist
ing Of a war ensign in the Ped Sea.
Equally she holds that anything is
bsnd that she is allowed 10 keep, as she
kept the cargoes Of decayed fsh and fer
tilizer destined for Corean farmers on the
ground that dried fish was the staple o
Of the Japanese troops. As TO the proper
behavior on the opening Of hostlities, she
will have nothing to do with the idea OF
chivalrous. old fashioned public challenge.
Her rule Of conduct still is as il was In
1875. when she crossed neutral territory
and invaded the Turkish Empire for several
DAYS before she declared war on the Sultan.
Until she is removed from her fslse position
az the ostensibie patron OF the conference
il will be difficult to resist the arguments Of
experienced men here who are already
pleading for a return to the usual inter-
national ne gotiations.