Rocky Ford enterprise., 1907-06-21
BLESSED BE THE pEAcemAkgR
The Little Dove viii Have Hard Times
Paeifyina England and Germany.

baSUytU8 GU8iaUo aUo 0eTSUaUys
The Hague.-Wlth 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 ofthe original con-
ference of 1899 and today. which has
become q subject OF general comment.
In 1899. although less than half the
represented. the hopes OF the world
were high and there was a 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 a world
parliament In the fullest acceptation
OF the term. the delegates meet In .
more practical and more sober spirit.
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 n step In the direction OF the
Limitation OF armamen,s are very aim
AT the same time all the delegates ad-
nit that the public agitation In favor
OF the reduction OF nrmaments Is
stronger than In 1899. The trouble,
they say. lies In the European situa-
tion. which Is 80 delicate that no single
power apparently Is ready to propose
"A formula lest II jeopardixe the cx-
trcmcly useful work OF amcliorniing
the horrors OF war. defining the rights
and duties OF ncutrais. extending tho
principle OF arbitration. etc. which
may be accomplished. The powers IN.
voring a discussion OF proposal to
reduce armamcnts fear that unless "
In brought up the whole idea may fall
into universal ridicuic.
At the outset Il is seen that the I'm.
portnnt thing In to avoid discord. anl
with the purpose OF pcrmittin. a fur
ther exchange OF views. and In order
that the delegates get better nc
quaintcd. Il has been decided already
to postpone the second session OF tho
conference until Tuesday.
Some optimists incline to the opin.
ion that the fact that the differences
are fully appreciated In advance ia
cniy likely TO max. the ultimate result
richer. Upon the single question OF
publicity. the jealousy OF the powers
has contributed directly to brinxin.
abou, view totally different from tha;
which prevailed In 1899. Then not
single power supported Swcdcn's mo-
ton for publicity. To-day Germany be.
iicvcs that publicity will prevent her
being placed In n false position. ani
tho fact that Germany refuses to shoui.
der the odium OF advocating secrecy
forces her opponents. some Of whom
doubt III. cxpcdicncy OF publicity. To
support u.
II In idle to t!rny tina, the an'ason.
Ism Of Great Britain and Germany
overxhadows the conference. The Ger
mans come To Tho Hague extremely
suspicious that the group Of powers Of
which Grra, Britain IL the backbone In
tend to try tn fnancuvcr her Into n no.
ai'ion where failure To do anything In
the direction Of the Limitation OF arma.
mcnta will bc laid TO her door. Al
though some aid from Italy may be cs.
pcctcd. and Russia IL not unfricndiy.
Germany IL only sure of Austria. AMI
she fears a trap. For Instance. she Ia
afraid Of compulsory arbitration. lest !,
compel her To submit interests which
she deems vital. 10 an unfricndly ,ri.
bunai.
In the event Of clash the immense
strength of the United States position.
free as IL is ot European suspicion AMI
backed by Latin America. is uniscrs
sally recognized. For this reason tho
American delegates to the conference
will act with circumspcction.