Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-06-16
1t Was DbCOurdging to the Advocates of
Early and Universal Peace +
President Nelidof Reminded the Conference that the
Millenneum not ut and Hand that il was Human
to Err and War. =.

The Hague. June 15.-The second
international peace conference opened
this afternoon. The session lasted
twenty minutes and was devoid OF
any incident outside of the prear-
ranged program.
II consisted simply Of 4 short speech
Of welcome by DR.. Van Tets Van
Goudrian, the Netherlands foreign
minister. the adoption of a resolution
To send greetings TO Emperor Nicholas
and Queen Wilhelmina and the eager
ly awaited speech of VI. Nelidoff. the
head Of the Russian delegates, who
was unanimously chosen president Of
the conference.
The keynote sounded by VI. Nelidoff
ON behalf OF Russia was a crushing
blow to the pacifcates. There was no
mention of the words ultimate dis
armament and the inauguration of
universal peace was relegated to the
limbo Of dreams.
Vi. NelidOff described this as "a star
floating far above the mundane sphere
to be always striven for. but never
attained" Nations are like individ-
Uals," he said. they are human and
ever invented could put an end to the
strife and violence. When honor and
vital interests are at stake, regardless
Of consequences, neither the former
nor the latter will recognize any au-
thority except personal judgment and
personal feelings
Stripped Of fine phrases the ad-
dress is considered a deliberate warn
ing To the conference to keep down
to earth. to continue the work of the
first conference toward alleviating the
horrors of war and narrowing the
chances Of conflict by opening wider
the door OF arbitration: 10 aim toward
cancellation and Justice"
The speech however. clears the at
movphere and shows that Russia is de
termined to try to keep the conference
within her program; that so far as the
discussion of armaments is concerned,
she lines up with Germany and Aus
tria. In the face Of an initial reverse.
II remains TO be seen what the powers
favoring the consideration of arma-
ments will do. The delegates who in
sist that this subject must not be al
lowed TO drop. manifest some resent
been dissati-fied had Rus Il steered
clear Of the subject altogether, but
they express the opinion that this bold
attempt TO influence the conference
agaist the consideration of the ques-
ton is highly improper.
President Roosevelt carried off the
hOnors of the inaugural session The
applause which greeted the high trib-
utes paid to the president by Van
Goudrian and NJ. Nelidoff was hearty
and spontaneous. Perhaps it is not
too much to say that the Incident
points to Roosevelt and the American
delegation. instead of to the emperor
of Russia, as the moulder OF destinies
Of the present conference. At any
rate it certainly shows with what
common accord the world recognizes
the lofty motives which inspired
America in international affairs.
General Horace Porter and other
American representatives were show
cred with congratulations after the
brief session. AS a spectacle. the con-
gress of two hundred and thirtynine
ENJOYS. representing forty-seven pow
ers was not particularly imposing. 1t
lacked the pomp and glitter of splen-
did uniforms.
The speeches and proceedings were
in F'r nch. but it has been practically
decided that the delegates, during the
subsequent proceedings. NAV use any
language they choose. II is apparent
notwithstanding the decision in the
matter of publicity. that the open ses-
sions will be formal and that the real
work will be done behind closed doors
and in conferences between the lead
ers.
The Associated Press IS authorized
to state that the japanese delegation