New-York tribune., 1907-06-08
FRANCE AT THE HAGUE.
DIFFICULT POSITION.
Effect of Alliances s-Fcars Of Ger
mang-Imp0rtance of Peace.

Paris June TN the Chamber of Deputies
to-day NJ de Pressense Socialist, asked the
government regarding the attitude Of France at
The Hague peace conference. He referred to
Great Britain as precious instrument of peace
for the whole world" and said that immense
armaments meant bankruptcy for the countries
adopting such a policy
The Foreign Minister NJ Pichon. in reply said
that the coming conference was n vertable in
ternational parliament. France would remain
true to herself by playing an unrestricted part
of moderation and conciliation, similar TO that
adopted by NJ Bourgeois, the head of the French
delegation to the peace conference Of 1899. The
names and regulations of the French delegates.
he added. guaranteed the useful fulhlment of
their mission The Chamber unanimously ap-
proved the Minister'S declaration.
Perhaps none Of the great European powers
with the possible exception of Italy, will enter
The Hague conference more embarrassed than
France. The government of the republic. by in
clination and self-interest Is pacific. A reign
of peace is essential for the solution of the great
economic and social problems which her states
men are undertaking to solve at home. Yet
in her relation to foreign powers France has
lived for years and still lives under the haunt
ing shadow Of her mighty German neghbor
The memory Of the acute crisis preceding the
AIgeciras convent Is stil fresh in the minds
of those who conducting the government
and they feel that aggressively TO champion
anything in the direction OF reduction or llmi-
tation of armaments would be to show weak
ness which might encourage her old foe to ag-
gresson. Moreover. to a lesser extent the
government must reckon with a certain re-
vengefu and militant spirit in her people. witch
mRnifests itself in keeping fresh flowers forever
the statues of the lost provinces Of Alsace
and Lorraine.
INFLUENCE OF POWERS ON FRANCE.
But above all the French government must
consider the international obligations which she
has contracted with foreign powers-her alliance
with Russia and her series of understandings
with England, Italy and Spain. now to be sup
plemented by similar convention with Japan
This alliance and these friendships. entered into
originally 10 protect her from the spectre ot
Germany and since extended in the interest Of
peace, have now made her a member Of an in
ternationaI combination. which. IN a congress
Of nations such will meet at The Hague di-
vests her of freedom of action. She is naturally
compelled TO consult the wishes Of her allies
and friends a private man is forced to take
into consideration the views of his partners and
business associates. At present the controlling
and dominating spirit Of the combination to
which France belongs is England.
English aims and English policies are there
fore. likely to he most largely reflected when
ever the members Of the combination can
reach a common attitude toward the larger
issues at The Hague. For weeks and months
London has been in intimate exchange with the
chancellories of France and her other Continent
tai friends with a view to presenting a united
front upon the main questions Frances atti-
tude toward the Drago doctrine the immunity
of private property at sea. the convention COW
ering maritime warfare. including the rights cf
neutlals. contrahand the status Of bcIligereuts
in neutral ports. the right to destroy ships ar
!ested as prizes the laying of floating mines.
etc, directly inscribed upon the Russian pro-
gramme. Is necessarily therefore determined
more or less by the result of these exchanges
FIRM STAND ON ARBITRATION
on one point-possby the most important
Frances position will be unequivoca She will
firmly advocate the extension of the principle
Of arbitration compulsory where possible with
the championing OF everything such an attitude
involves For instance her delegates viii sup
port any practical measure for the realization
Of President Roosevet's scheme 10 strengthen
the Hague tribunal by creating a permanent
personnel of eminent jurists who will lift It
above suspicion of national prejudice. and thus
inspire the confidence Of every Iitigant who
desires to appear before it. Indeed beyond the
great good which must undoubtedly result from
closer definition Of the rules of war and the
resolving Of issues raised during the Russo
japanese War, the peace advocates OF France !
believe that the creation OF a strong permanent
tribunal at The Hague and the extension of the |
scope Of arbitration likely to be the biggest
work for the peace of the world which the com
ing conference can achieve.
In French government circles there Is little |
expectation that anything tangible in the direc-
ton Of the limitation or reduction of arma-
monts can be accomplished. No formula has
been suggested which, in the opinion of such !
eminent advocate Of peace as Baron d'Es-
tOurnclleS de Constant Of the French dele
gates. can command the appreciation of all the |
powers. Nevertheless. out Of any discussion
fruitless or not to concrete results France
believes good may come in strengthening gem
eral sentiment
The international jealousies which must in
evitaby crop out at The Hague create the dis
tinct impression here that at every crucial mo-
ment America, free of European suspicion is
likely to be turned to as peaCemaker. Leon
Bourgeois. the former Minister Of Foreign AZ
fairs. who heads the French delega ton may
cut big figure Individual conciIiator.
He is a friend Of the English convention. which
foreign policy. but he is also an advocate of an
understanding with Germany. and in case of n
clash much is expected of him
HR0TTTF NTEHTn n0NE AWAV WITH