New-York tribune., 1907-07-01
THE PEACE CONGRESS.
4 Debating s}2dety That Can DO
Useful, York.
The Hague, Junar,

|
Germany announced in advance that It does
not consider disarmauent a practical policy
and will not take part in the discussion? II
| the congress be a debating club without the
moral force behind it for reaching definite con-
clusions and carrying them out in practical re-
suits, why should the strongest military powers
| III Europe object TO having the reduction OF ma
| itonal ornaments discussed? There debate
on this subject at the first congress. and 1t did
| not come to anything. Why was Germany un-
willing TO have the experiment repeated, when
its own delegates could be instructed 10 declare
that in no conceivable circumstances could it's
army and navy be reduced? Obviously the
congress has resources OF power in the moral
forces of public opinion. Those resources have
been increased since the first congress by the
establishment Of the arbitration tribunal and
by large reinforcement of nations Joining In
the movement. Discussion IS less futile than
it was at the first congress because batvaer
forty and fifty nations interested in II Even
if no practical method of arranging reduced
armaments has been devised, il is possible that
a resolution in that direction may secure an
overwhelming majority. II would be inonAra-
tive without the sanction OF the great military
powers. but they do not wish to be outvoted
and exhibited as in opposition TO the moral
forces of the world The German protest against
discussion is tribute 10 the increased power
OF the congress
Another conclusion to be drawn from the
opening sessions Of the congress Is the revival
of influence of small nations. The Pan-Ger-
manic agitatorsJ have been proclaimtng fcr
many years that the time has passed for feeble
little nations and that prudence and enliSht-
ened self-interest require them to seek prOtec-
ton from great powers with efficient armies
and fleets and increased resources for invading
foreign markets. That has been the chief argu-
ment in the propaganda for the Incorporation
of Denmark and Holland in the German empire.
and for various amalsamations and reaTrange-
ments among the Balkan states The outlook
however for the smaller nations has distinctly
improved since the first peace congress was
organized In these International assemblies
they are on an equal footing with the great
powers Arbitration is a safeguard that pre-
teCts them against sudden assault and unpro-
voked warfare. They are strengthened by sys-
tematized arrangements for averting war and
facilitating adjustments Of International griev-
ances- Measures for exempting private prop
erty at from seizure in time will be high
ly beneficial TO them. If working basis can bs
found for disarmament-and the cheeriest op-
timist has not Vet been able to suggest one-it
Will impart increased security 10 the minor
states The International movement reinvigo-
rates countries too feeble either TO defend their
frontiers or to protect their commerce
Tho congress is pool where David can pick up
pebbles for his diplomatic sling and feel that
he is as good Goliath.
The military powers dislike the restraints I'M
posed by pacific diplomacy and moral obIiga-
tions Their experts have mastered the science
OF war and know how much depends upon rapid
mobilization OF forces and sudden attack Ar
mics must be massed and sent across the
eneuy's frontier with the least possible DELAY
and hostile fleets must be DESTROYED and COM
mand OF the sea gained at the beginning OF the
contest. These are the approved principles OF
modern warfare; and the processes of arbitra-
ton and mediation and the various prohibitions
and limitations which this international assem-
bly, seeks TO impose interfere with the rapid and
effective conduct of campaigns on land and sea
The military and naval marttnets are the nat
ural opponents OF the congress and their in
huence is strongly exerted against il in the great
European capitals The German military starr
does not conceal its contempt for the sentiment
taIlsts and dreamerS Of the league os peace;
and Sir John Fisher in England and the Arneri-
can inventor OF the phrase. Sea Power have
joined hands in dtscrediting measures Tor pro-
tectlnS neutral commerce and restricting naval
warfare TO the fighting ships. The great powers
oy anstalning from discussion can exercise a
veto power upon any compact for the reduction
or ornaments the security o. private pron-
erty at sea; but this is a privilege OF which
they will be reluctant to avail themselves when
the minor states are inclined to welcome either
proposal The work OF the congress naturalIv
follows the lines OF least resistance Vrha1 a.
clearly impracticable owing TO opposition in one
quarter or another will not be undertaken II
VIII be the business OF the leading commissions
TO ascertain what can be acconpIished with
practical unaninity and TO atrernnr nOrbir'- +rat
Is clearly impossible The peace congress is a
deoatihg society in which diplomatists arrange
the work IN private conferences behind the
scenes discussion cannot be mischievous un-
ueF these conditions Some practical results are
inevitable Faddists are doomed TO disappoint-
aeht' out something Will be done TO improve the
processes or arbitration, TO mitigate the horrors
OF war and TO promote the interests Of peace.
IN cable letter described the opening OF
the congress as a dull and perfunctory per-
lormance. So 1t was. but the hall. crowded with
oelegates at desks. had businesslike aspect
ana this was perhaps more promising than ora
tory or enthusiasm would have been. The
Dutch government has provided an excellent
working place in the heart of the capital. and
there will be feV social functions 20 divert the
delegates from their labors. They will have
natural desire 10 return To their homes with
record of having accomplished something useful
and progressive after six weeks OF deliberatiou
and conference. With this common motive IL
will be strange indeed if between two hundred
and three hundred delegates and their secre-
tarles ana military and naval advisers cannot
nnd many things on which they can come
agreement There many OF the most emf
nent authorities on International law in the
congress. If they agree upon definition
OF contraband of war. the rights OF search and
prize court practice Of maritime nations can be
II Will be a difficult undertaking.
since food supplies and coal will have to be de-
cisively ruled upon but an authoritative defni-
ton from so influential and representative a body
as this congress will be a great gain for civili-
zaton. The programme accepted by ths powers
without dissent includes the regulation OF naval
warfare under such heads as the bOmbardment
or open ports. the laying of mines the CONVEX
sion or merchant vessels into warships the
capture OF private property at sea, neutral 90
legations. the treatment of belligerents IN heu-
tral ports. the destruction OF neutral SHIPS anu
n crrar ,lCrcl