The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-06

recognition of the Red Cross and other societies in the interest of humanity.
 This was the first time that all the nations of the globe ever met in an amicable conference. The debates were interesting and intelligent. There was no acriniony; not a harsh word was ut tered"
 Everywhere was evident an earnest desire to bring the people together, and when the lead of the fourteen adopted conventions is studied, every one will be struck by their import ance, not only as affecting the present, but as indicating still better results at the next conference. One of our most important works was the agreement to hold the next conference in eight years ---the same period that elapsed between the first and second meetings at The Hague. This, we believe. will insure hereafter the automatic gathering of peace conferences.
 Obligatory Arbitration.
 "One of the two things which failed to take positive form at the confer ence was obligatory arbitration. The United States delegation pressed this proposition to vote and it received 32 out of Az votes in the conference. But two or three large powers were not willing to go that far at this time. They would only agree to announce their endorsement of the principle of the thing. The conference, you know. was not one where a majority ruled. Neither were their rules for cutting off debates and demandinsfa vote. Di- plomacy had to be ruled in bring ging re- suits and there was no attempt at force. The conference dissolved in the best of harmony.
 The second proposition which failed was that dealing with limitation of armaments. The attitude of several of the great nations taken in advance of the conference, made it known that this proposition would not be accom- plished. One nation wanted to remain mistress of the seas Another conti- mental nation, which had been subject | to attack in the past was reluctant to 1 reduce It's means of defense. Some 1 thought that for a power like America | to urge another power to diminish its | right to arm for protection was a good deal like that nation to ask New York | to reduce it's police force.
 ''It is difficult to tell just what con stitutes military power. It is made uI | of armies, navies and the extent ana | protection of Notifications. It may con 1 sist also of an international admins 1 tration with a power to levy en mass' | upon the people. But the conferenc. l expressed unanimously desire to hay, 1 the governments study the question se | | meeting.
 "The American delegation stood il | a favorable position, as 1t was not | member of the European concert, ant 1 our country is separated widely geo | graphically from the great powers an, | occupied generally a neutral attitude 1 It has therefore found itself in a DO | sition to take the initiative and to in ! troduce the many measures which | presented and was successful in car | rying through. Our delegation mad I a persistent effort to have established ! permanent international court. I | succeeded in preparing and having | adopted a form of organization an, | procedure for such a court which vii | always stand forth as a great intel 1 lectual accomplishment.
 The conference could not, however
 select the judges. as this was no clearly in their competence, and 1t wa
 therefore left to the various countrie to proceed through diplomatic channel
 to select a bench of judges composet
 of men of the highest ability and in l tegrity.
 "whiie the rules governing warfar
 on land had been pretty well modifie, and regorganized internationally, n,
 such action had been previously ta ken regarding naval warfare. Much Ia
 Dor was expended in the conferenc
 just closed in the adoption of a serie
 of rules governing warfare both on se
 and land and defining the rights an
 duties of belligerents and neutraIs
 These rules will go far in the future
 it is believed, toward preventing thir
 parties from being drawn into a war.