Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-16
Telegram to Queen of Netherlands.

co-operat ton and amiable indulgence to sec
ond the good will bring to the task"
Telegram to Queen of Netherlands.
NJ. Nelidof then asked for authorize ton
10 send in the name of the conference, a
telegram to the Queen of the Netherlands
expressing gratitude at the gracious well
come accorded the delegates and their
homage and respectful devotion.
Continuing, NJ. Nedoff said:
After the eloquent words heard from Dr.
Van Tets Van Goudrian il will be upReces-
sary for me to recall the circumstances
which led up to the summOning of the sec
ond peace conference or to allude to the
share taken in its convGcation by the emf
nent chief of the great North American
confederation, whose generous impulses are
always inspired by the nobest sentiments
of justice and humanity.
Il cannot but feel deeply moved at seeing
an assemblage of representatives of nearly
every constituted state. This is the first
time such a meeting has been held. 1t is
the first time such meeting could be held.
1t is the desire for peace that led the diff
ferent governments 10 send their most emf
nent men from all parts of the world to
discuss in common the most cherished inter
ests of humanity, namely. conciHation and
justice. May l regard this a happy
augury of the progress of our abors and
express the hope that the harmony which
animated the various governments will also
reign among their representatives and con-
tribute 10 the successful completion of the
task which deyOves on US?
Problems for Conference.
This task, gentlemen. as set forth in the
program of the conference accepted by all
the powers. is divided into two parts. On
one hand we seek means to bring about an
amicdble settlement of the differences
which may arise between the different
states. and thus prevent ruptures and armed
conflicts.
"On the other hand We have to endesvor.
in the event Ct war breaking ont to miti-
gate its onerous effects alike on comoatants
as upon those indirectly affected.
These Two problems may So.netin mes
have appeared incompatible. During the
war of secession in the United States Prof
Francis Lieber drew up. | believe inS;ruc-
tions 10 the hostile .mmanders and local
authorities, with the object uf Tightening
the difficulties and responsibilities On the
abnormal situation.
Il have heard the opinion expressed that
it was distinctly mistaken idea to seek
TO diminish the horrors of war. In order
to insure that wars shall be short and of
rare occurrence. | am told that the ma
tons engaged must he made 10 baar the
whole burden of them. SO that they may
be induced to agree to TIE earliest tcrmi-
nation of hOStilitieS and feel an unwilling
ness TO recommence. This to me Fms
an absolutely speciouS opinion. The hor-
rorS " the ancient struggles and wars of
the middle ages neither diminished their
duration nor frequency. while the nit ga
ton introduced in the second half of the
last century into the conduct of wars in
the fate of prisoners and wounded in fact
all the series of humanitarian measures
which do honor to the first peace confer
ence and must be completed by the work
OF the conference We are now inaugurating,
have in no way helped to develop liking
for war.