The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-16
served in the main hall and, the com. mittee rooms

served in the main hall and, the com mittee rooms.
 Drizsiing Rain.
 A drizzling, overcast day ushered in the conference The depressing weath- CT conditions. however. did not prevent the government of the Netherlands from trying to give the city a gala ap- pearance The white and blue flag of Holland, side by side with the orange standard of the House of Nassau was hoisted over every public building and many private residences flew the na- tons colors< Fortunately the clouds began to break toward noon and the people were soon gathering to witness the arrival of distinguished foreigners at the ancient portals of the Binnen- hoff, within the walls of which Is lo- cated the old castle in which the sit tings of the conference will be held devoid, however, of pomp and glitter.
 As upon the occasion of the first conference, the government of The Netherlands. in order to lay stress on the peaceful character and objects of the conference, specially requested the delegates and military and naval Aat- taches not to appear in uniform or wear any insignia of their rank.
 The delegations were sober looking, the delegates being attired in black suits. The military attache, of Greece all alone disregarded the request of The Netherlands foreign office regard ing uniforms, making himself extreme ly conspicuous with his showy epaul- cites and string of orders across his breast. Not half a dozen of the 230 seats on the floor were vacant when pr. vanteets van Gcudrain called the meeting to orderI4nd hush fell on the assemblage.
 Welcome to Delegates.
 In welcoming the delegates he said
 In the name of the Queen I have the honor of bidding you welcome As sociating herself with tho desire by which Emperor Nicholas was animated when he addressed to the powers his proposal to send delegates to the sec ond peace conference the Queen has been happy to consent that her cap- ital once more offers it's hospitality to your illustrious assembly.
 The government of The Nether- lands has directed me on this occa- sion to give expressions to the sense of deep gratitude which it entertains towards the Russian Emperor who has taken the initiative in calling the con- ference; and the occasion should not be allowed to pass without offering a tribute Of our gratitude to the eminent statesmen who presides over the des- tinies of the United States, President Roosevelt. who has powerfully con- tributed towards raising the seed sown by the initiator of these assemblies.
 "The labors of the first conference have been subjected to severe criti- cism but the judgment passed on them and the events that have occurred which in the opinion of some pessi- mists furnished proof of the useless ness of the conference has not serious ly weakened the public opinion favor able to the work of the assembly of 1899. The best proof that the peoples and their governments are not indiffer- erH 10 this current of opinion. but are subject to it's influence is the eager ness with which the powers responded to the appeal made to them. This unanimous welcome seems a good aug ury. which appears to justify the hope that the conference will mark one stage on the road which should lead to the object in view. The increase in the number of States represented is another favorable sign.
 T now propose that the conference send the following dispatch to Elm peror Nicholas:
 At the> commencement of it's 1a- bors the second peace conference lays at the feet of your majesty its pro- found gratitude for having taken the initiative in continuing the work be- gun in 1899.
 The conference begs your maj esty to believe in its sincere desire to work with all its strength to accomp- fish the delicate and at the same time arduous task which has been confded to it ."