The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

London, May A-Germany's fiat refusal
10 discuss any proposal for the limitation
OF ornaments has deprived The Hague
conference of its chief importance. It
viii now. Of course. be impossible 20 ac-
complish any practical result in this di-
rection, and 1t Is doubted In diplomatic
circles II the subject will even be raised
for academic discussion. The German
authorities have faced squarely the re-
proach that their attitude will earn them,
the reputation for disturbing the noble
word peace from sheer love of war or from
military ambition or other seif-seeking
motives. Chancellor Won Buelow says in
the clearest language:
There are in England. France. Italy.
and America plenty of friends of peace
and civilization who believe that they
will best promote peace If they allow no
Illusions 10 arise and IT, wnHc pursuing
ideal aims. they - IA lose sight OF reali-
ties. I lately had the satisfaction Of ind
ing an utterance in this sense even in a
social-Democratic journal Better late
than never. It Is impossible 70 subject
Germany 20 pressure, even 70 moral pres
sure"
German Suspicion Aroused.
It was maladroit move on the part
Of Premier Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man 10 announce the British views on
this subject in a partisan publication a
month ago instead of subm ting them
to the conference itself He accom-
plished nothing. except TO arouse German
suspicion and give Prince yOn Buelow an
opportunity to veto in advance a proposal
which would have carried far greater
weight II oncially submitted by a ma
jority Of the powers
Moreover. he succeeded in focusing upon
Great Britain all the German anger and
resentment with the result that Anglo
phobia has been famed 70 a whittier heat
I'm the kaisers dominions than ever be-
fore. Even Herr Basserman. the leader
of the German Liberals, declared this
week that Germany would accept no die
tati0n in regard 20 ornaments, and ne
advised England 10 make a note OF il
Herr Wiener, the leading Radical in the
Rcichstag. described the proposal to
limit aTmaments as a diplomatic means OF
weakening the position of Germany
Prime Minister Sincere.
All this storm Of bad feeling has been
raised because the simpie-minded old
gentleman. who Is the executive officer
Of this empire. declared himself in favor
Of this obvious scheme of promoting the
cause Of peace. Now the truth is the
prime minister spoke and wrote in per-
feet sincerity. he is incapable of resort
ing 10 such a Maahiavellian diplomatic
scheme as is ascribed 10 him. but proba-
bly, not a single member Of the Teutonic
race could be induced to believe this.
Hence these efforts in behalf Of peace
have resulted thus far merely in embitter-
ing the two nations.
Prime Minister Bannerman's difficulties
in domestic politics were increased this
week by the definite rejection Of the colo
nial demand for preferential trade. which
was foreshadowed week ago. The re-
turn Of the King next week and his per
sonaI influence with the visiting premiers
may calm somewhat their natural resent
ment. but the effect upon the empire. both
at home and In the colonies, will be
strongly prejudioial to the present gov
ernment
Harmony for UnjORists.
Still more important is the fact that Mr.
Balfours first clear and sincere advocacy
of the doctrine of preferential trade with
the colonies has at last given the Unionist
party real leadership and policy. It
may confidently be expected that the
Unionists will now harmonize their diff
Iculties and become an effective opposition.
Fiscal reform will not mean quite what
IL = a
object win not be a protective tariff for
projections sake, or even for the sake of
revenue 1t VIII mean preferential trade
within the empire so designed as to inn
pose the smallest possible additional bur
dans 1Innn cnnsmmers This nnlicN will