New-York tribune., 1907-09-23
BRITAIN DISAPPOINTED.
Peace Conference Merely a Social
Success-Its Defects.

London. Sept o2-To call the international
peace conference at The Hague fasco would
merely be to repeat the public opinion of the
whole OF Europe: Its meetings have long since
ceased to command attention, and the news
papers are giving them less and less space. TIE
cosmopolitan throng which appeared at VIII
helrnina's capital early in the summer, some in
official capacities and others representing So
cieties or promoting fads. has dwindled to
comparative handful Of officials. Only those
compelled TO remain on the spot In order TO
sign documents embodying the results Of the
meetings and a few secretaries remain. The
others have dispersed to their homes or are
travelling in Europe
Socially the conference has been great
success. It has given The Hague a summer OF
gayety unusual in that staid little capital. by
a constant series of dinners and receptions.
The greatest disappointment to the delegates
Is the failure Of the conference TO have estab-
lished q permanent court Of arbitration, which
appeared TO be the nearest OF realization OF any
of the practical projects put forward. The re-
suits attained give little satisfaction In Eng
land. Even those persons who at the beginning
of the conference held the view that mere dis
cussion Of the problems which it was called to
consider would be step toward the prevention
of war admit that their hopes were unJustlf1eo
the entire proceedings, describing them as
waste Of time
This failure successfully to deal with the great
questions included In the programme is credited
largely to defects in the constitution of the con-
ference by which the delegates were expected to
perform in a few months what properly was the
work of years, and the recognition Of all powers
strong or weak. morally and physically, as equals
This latter defect was pointed out and empha-
sized during the discussion Of the project for a
permanent court of arbitration in which the
minor states insisted on having equal represen-
tation with the great powers. a principle which
ii was contended could not be accepted. The
overlooking OF the programme with questions Of
naval warfare and of maritime law-subjects for
specialists. not diplomats-also is considered to
have been a mistake the debates on them lead
ing to dissensions instead OF agreements
Even the international prize court the insti-
tuition of which is of the few results the
conference is likely TO accomplish. English au-
thorities international law say cannot be
submitted to by Great Britain until it has been
fully considered and code for the guidance of
the court has been laid down by experts and ac-
cepted by the governments
The question OF a reduction in expenditures
for ornaments. which Sir Henry Campbell
Zimmerman and the peace advocates hoped
Would De seriously taken up py the conference
long since has been forgotten. and in the reviews
OF the proceedings now appearing the question
is seldom. IF ever mentioned. The peace section
OF the Liberal party is greatly disappointed at
this failure Of their theory for doing away with
wars, and, like the great majority of British
they have lost what little interest they had in
the conference.
Government circles, however. are trying to
md some excuse for the existence of the British
delegation at The Hague They summarize the
accomplishments of the conference as follows:
The insuring OF periodical meetings OF the con-
ference. the conversion OF Germany to the prin-