The state herald., 1907-06-21
BLESSED BE THE pEAcEMAkER
The Little Dove viii Have Hard Times
Pacifyins England and Germany.

The Hague-With the representa-
tives of forty-six countries gathered
here for the opening of the second
peace conference there is remarkable
contrast between the sentiments pre-
| vailing upon the eve Of the original CON
ference of 1899 and today, which has
become subject of general comment
In 1899, although less than half the
present number of governments was
represented, the hopes of the world
| were high and there was vision OF the
| disarmament and the Punishment OF
| the curse of war from among civilized
peoples. Men who were here eight
years ago recall how the delegates OF
the powers met in response to the gen
| erous appeal Of the Emperor of Russia
and entered upon their work with the
zeal and enthusiasm of men upon
holy mission. Yet three months later
this dream faded and nothing beyond
the adoption of pious vow remained
of the avowed object of the conference.
Today, with the conference n world
parliament in the fullest acceptation
of the term, the delegates meet in a
Two wars have been fought since 1899,
and the military budgets of the powers
are heavier, but disarmament has not
been broached even, and the prospects
of making a step in the direction OF the
| Limitation of armaments are very slim.
At the same time all the delegates ad-
nit that the public agitation in favor
of the reduction of armaments is
OF hnn In
they say. lies in the European situa-
tion, which is so delicate that no single
power apparently is ready to propose
n formula lest 1t jeopardize the ex-
tremely useful work of ameliorating
the horrors of war, defining the rights
and duties of neutrals. extending the
principle of arbitration. etc, whicn
may be accomplished. The powers ia
voring n discussion Of proposal to
reduce armaments fear that unless IL
is brought up the whole idea may fall
into universal ridicule.
At the outset II is seen that the I'm
portant thing is to avoid discord, AMI
with the purpose OF permitting n FUR
ther exchange of views, and in order
that the delegates get better ac-
Quainted. it has been decided already
10 postpone lUp stCOHu stsSlOH VI VIC
conference until Tuesday.
Some optimsts incline to the opin-
ion that the fact that the differences
are fully appreciated in advance Is
only likely to make the ultimate result
richer. Upon the single question OF
publicity. the jealousy OF the powers
has contributed directly to bringing
about view totally different from tina;
which prevailed In 1899. Then not D
single power supported Sweden's mo-
ton for publicity. Today Germany be.
iieves that publicity will prevent her
being placed in false position. and
the fact that Germany refuses to shoul'
der the odium OF advocating secrecy
forces her opponents, some OF whom
doubt the expediency OF publicity, 10
support II.
II is idle to deny that the antagon-
ism OF Great Britain and Germany
overshadows the conference. The Ger
mans come to The Hague extremely
suspicious that the group of powers OF
which Great Britain is the backbone In
tend to try TO manenver her into po-
sition where failure TO do anything In
the direction OF the limitation OF armn-
ments will be laid to her door. Al
though some aid from Italy may be ex-
pccted. and Russia is not unfriendly.
Germany is only sure OF Austria, ani
she fears trap. For instance, she In
afraid OF compulsory arbitration. lest IT
compel her to submit interests which
she deems vital. TO an unfriendly tri-
bunal
In the event OF n clash the immense
strength of the United States position.
free as II is OF European suspicion and
backed by Latin America, is uniyer'
sally recognized. For this reason the
American delegates 10 THE conference
will act with circumspection.