Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-13
GATHERING AT HAGUE
SLEEPY DUTCH TOWN HAVING
ITS PERIODICAL AWAKENING.

THE HAGUE, June 13.-The delegates of
various countries to the second Hague
peace conference, which will be formally
opened June Is, accompanied by a host
Of secretaries, technical experts and at
taches, together with a small army of
newspaper correspondents. are arriving
here by every train, and the lazy old Dutch
capital is beginning to buzz with an ANNA
ton such as has not been witnessed since
the conference of 1899.
The Austrian delegation arrived Tues
day and were first on the ground. Gen.
Horace Porter former ambassador to
France and one of the American .plenipo-
tentiaries, arrived yesterday, as did the
French delegates, Keiroku Tsuruki and a
section ofthe japanese delegates, DR.. Ruy
Barboza and his fellow Brazilians, Gonzalo
de Quesada, Senior Sanguily and DR.. Bus
tamente, representing Cuba, and John w.
Foster. former Secretary of State Of The
United States. who represents China.
The delegates from Central America
must make adhesion on behalf Of their
respective countries to the convention of
1888. and this Formally will be carried out
Already the feeling is prevalent among
the arriving diplomats that the United
states Is destined to play great role in
the coming conference. Under her aus
pieces the countries of South and Central
America will be introduced to Europe on a
footing of equality. The European dele
gates entertain no doubt that all the rep
resentatives of America will present
practically united front at this confer
ence and that henceforth they will be an
immense factor in such world conventions.
some surprises are expected from the other
side of the Atlantic.
Late Instructions. X
Late instructions from Washington await
the delegates here, but the general position
of the United States may be summed UP
as follows:
The most advanced position on every
question involving the peaceful adjustment
of international disputes, whether the sub
ject comes up in the form of a proposal for
the limitation of the expenditures for ar
maments, the immunity of private proper
ty at sea, the extension of the principle of
arbitration, the permanent strengthening
OF the personnel of The Hague tribunal or
the Drago doctrine.
The delegates are assembling in spirit
hopeful of furthering the unfinished work
of 1899, but upon the main questionable
Limitation of armaments-much skepticism
is displayed.
Speculate preliminary to the formal
opening revolves about two Questions:
Which power. If any, will present con-
of ornaments, and the publicity-of the
sittings? According to the latest informa-
ton Great Britain now desires America
to take the initiative in the matter Of limi-
tatlOn. M. NeuQOH, one OIL the 1uSSldIl
delegates. at the first business session on
June II intends to propose the acceptance
Of the Russian program. Unless the ques-
ton of limitation is formally raised on
Monday it's postponement until the discus
sion of the Russian program Is completed
would seem inevitable.
In the matter of the publicity of the
plenary sittings it is learned that Germany
has decided to advocate publicity, and, con-
seQuently the chances therefor have sud
denly become brighter. Germany, 1t Is de-
clared fears that her position might be
misrepresented before the world If secrecy
were observed. This change In her position
is regarded as practically settling the ques-
ton in the affirmative, as America. pur-
suant to her traditional policy in playing
the cards above board, openly advocates
publicity. and, with Germany favorable no
European power is likely to assume the
onus of Directing. The motion for pub
lefty will be presented by the Dutch dele
gates.