Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-15
SECOND PEACE
CONFERENCE TO
BEGIN TODAY
Forty-Six Countries
Represented
Delegates Form World Parliament In
Fullest Sense of the Word and
Hope to Accomplish Uni
.versal Peace
By Associated Press.

THE HAGUE, June 14.--With the
representatives of forty-six countries
gathered here, opening of the second
peace conference, which will take place
tomorrow, there is remarkable con-
trast between the sentiments prevail |
ing upon the evening of the original |
conference of 1899 and today, which has
become a subject of general comment.
In 1899, although less than half of
the present number of governments |
were represented, the hope of the world |
was high and there was a vision of |
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 confer
ence.
Is World Parliament
Today with the conference a world
parliament in the fullest acceptance 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 step in the di-
rection of the limitation of ornaments
are very slim. At the same time all
these delegates admit that the recent
agitation in favor of DISARMAMENT is
stronger than in 1899. The trouble, they
say, lies in the European situation,
which is SO delicate that no single
power apparently is ready to propose
formula lest it jeopardize the ex-
tremely useful work of ameliorating
the horrors of war, defining the rights
and duties of neutrals, perhaps extend
| ing the principle of arbitration, etc..
which may be accomplished.
The powers favoring a discussion Of
a proposal to reduce ornaments fear
| that unless 1t is brought up the whole
idea may fall into universal ridicule.
View Totally Different
Some optimists incline to the opinion
that the fact that the difficulties are
fully appreciated in advance Is only
likely to make the ultimate result
richer. Upon the single question Of
publicity the jealousy of the powers
has contributed directly to bringing
about view totally different from that
which prevailed in 1899. Then not
single power supported Sweden's mo-
ton for publicity. Today Germany be-
lieves that publicity will prevent her
being placed in a false position, and the
fact that Germany refuses to shoulder
the odium of advocating secrecy and
forces other opponents, some of whom
doubt the expediency of the publicity,
to support it.
1t is idle to deny that the antagonism
of Great Britain and Germany over
shadows the conferences.
The Germans come to The Hague ex-
tremely suspicious that the group OF
powers of which Great Britain is the
backbone intend to try to nlaneuver
her into position where failure to do
anything in the direction of the limita-
ton of armaments win be laid to her
door. Although some aid from Italy
may be expected, and Russia is not un-
friendly Germany is only sure of Aus
tria, and she fears trap For in
stance, she is afraid of compulsory ar
bitration lest it compel her to submit
interests which she deems vital 10 any
unfriendly tribunal.
Responsibility on America
In the event of clash the immense
strength of the United States position,
free as it is of European suspicion and
backed by Latin America, is universally
recognized. For this reason the Amer
lean delegates to the conference Will
act with circumspection.
They held two conferences today In
which the situation was canvassed. the
Americans maintain great reserve, but
II can be stated positively that they
have no sensational move in the mat
ter of limitation, at present. The con-
ference is already developing it's light
sides. For instance the extreme for
malities> of the old world are causing
much amusement to the younger schooI
from across the water. The attache OF
the American delegation calculated to-
dav that to leave a card upon every
delegate on the calling list would IN
volve the handling of twenty pounds
Of cardboard. as in addition TO the
eychange of calls with each of the
o5o delegates and attaches the Dutcn
foreipn office has supplied list OF
thirty governments and court func-
tionaries upon whom they are expecteo
to call. and who will return those Vlslts
In the course of time.
Nothing has yet been heard OF tne
,atter of Count Okuma of Japan to M.
NeIidoff, the Russian delegate, relative
10 the race issue, and the members Oh