Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-03
For the Hague Conference
Is Still Unsettled.
Cannot Be Determined Until the
Delegates Meet.
British Will Aim Not to Offend Ger.
many and Please All.

The Hague, June 2-The plan Of the
proceedings at the second peace con-
ference probably will closely follow the
procedure of the first congress held in
lS99, though practically nothing has
Been worked out in advance. The
Dutch government, realizing that the
representatives of the &c powers, who
Will assemble here June Is must be
complete masters of the situation has
refrained in any way attempting to
control or arrange the program or
method OF procedure. 1t simply offers
It's hospitality to the conference. The
same is true of Russia.
The arrangements up to the present
time. therefore, simply cover the OPEN
ing session, when Mr.. Nelidoff, the
ItussOn ambassador to France, will
call the conference to order and make
an address extending his sovereigns
greeting to the delegates. Dr. Jonkheer
y, a. V. Van Tets Van Goudrain, the
Dutch minister for foreign affairs, will
make an address Of welcome on behalf
Of queen Wilhelmina. Therefore. it will
remain for the conference to decide
how it will proceed
II is safe to assume, however, that
the general line of procedure of the
former conference will be duplicated.
The first thing in order will be the ap-
pontment OF committees 10 consider
the various subjects inscribed upon the
Russian programs There will hardly
number more than five.
Unless the question of reduction of
limitation of ornaments is injected in
to the proceedings at the outset. in
which event the main struggle may be
at once precipitated, the plenary body
will probably not meet again for 10
days or a fortnight in order that the
committee may have an opportunity
to prepar reports for submission.
The opening session will probably be
pubic to the extent at least of admit
ting a few distinguished guests and
press representatives. but the sessions
of the congress will doubtless be strict
IL secret.
The question OF giving out a public
statement of the progress will be de-
cidcd upon by the conference itself. In
1889, Russia attempted to completely
shroud the proceedings in mystery and
secrecy, but after a fortnight 1t was
found that this course led to the pub
LEGATION of many misChevlous rumors.
This year, many of the delegates, real
iZing the advantage of stopping the
mouths of these sensation mongers,
favor the issuance, daily If possible, Of
brief Semi-official statement.
The French language as in 1899 will
be the official language of the confer
ence. although the advent of the South
Americans and the growing influence
OF English may result in some relaXa-
tirn in regard to the rule and result in
a compromise such as was arranged at
the peace conference at Portsmouth.
The governments official entertainment
of the delegates will not be lavish.
Parliament has appropriated 100000
gulden 10000 for the reception Of the
countrys guests, but this covers the
expenses in connection with the 4sit-
tings of the Hall of Knights. in addi-
ton, the government will give an en-
tertainnent. The municipality will
give a formal reception. The Queen
will also entertain the delegates as
body.
Minister Hill is extremely anxious
that the ceremony of the laying of the
corner stone Of the Palace OF Peace, 10
which Andrew Carnegie has subscribed
81, 100. 900, shall take place before the
conference adjourns The site OF the
building has been chosen in park
called The Observation-Disclosures Pelder
hut the plans have not yet been de-
finitely approved.
The lowest estimate of the duratlon
Of the conference is six weeks and the
prevailing estimate is that 1t Will be IN
session between two and three months