Omaha daily bee., 1907-06-03
ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE VISITOR;

THE HAGUE, June 2-The general plan
of the proceedings at the second peace con-
ference probably will follow closely the
procedure Of the first congress. held in 1899.
Practically nothing has been worked out in
advance. The arrangements up to the pres
ent time simply cover the opening session,
when Mr.! Nelidoff, the Russian ambassa-
dor TO France will call the conference to
order and make an address extending his
sovereigns greetings TO the delegates. DR..
Jonkheer d. A. w. Van Tets Van Goudrain,
the Dutch minister for foreign affairs, will
reply in an address of welcome on behalf
Of Queen wnhelmina. Thereafter, 1t will
remain for the conference to decide how II
will proceed.
It is safe to assume, however, that the
general line Of procedure OF the former
conference will be duplicated. The first
thing in order will be the appointment of
committees to consider the various subjects
inscribed upon the Russian program. These
will hardly number more than five. Unless
the question OF the reduction OF limitation
OF armaments is injected into the proceed
ings at the outset, in which event the main
struggle may be at once precipitated, the
plenary body probably will not meet again
for ten days or a fortnight, in order that
the committees may have an opportunity
to prepare reports for submission.
In general, It is not expected that the full
conference will meet more than once
week until the work of the committees
Justihes more frequent sessions.
Opening Session Public.
The opening session, It is expected, will
be public to the extent at least of admitting
few distinguished guests and press repre-
sentatives but the sessions of the confer
encs and OF the committees will be secret
Tho question of giving out a public state
ment Of the progress made win be decided
by the conference itself.
In 1893 Russia attempted to shroud the
proceedings in mystery and secrecy, but
after a fortnight It was found that this
course led TO the publication OF so many
miachievous rumors that several semi-offi-
- statements were issued. This year.
sany of the delegates. realizing the ad-
ySantaga. OF stopping the mouths OF the SON.
4 cation mongers, favor the issuance, daily,
\ II possible. of o brisf semi-offacial state
ment. The French language. as In 1893.
viii be the oflciat language OF the confer
enoe, although the advent OF the South
Americans and ths growing influence Of
English may lead TO some relaxation OF the
rule with regard to the debates and may re-
suit In a compromise. such as was arranged
at the peace conference at Portsmouth,
whereby the protocols OF minutea. were
inscribed in both French and English, al
though the French text was to be regarded
as official in case of dispute.
Entertainment of Delegates.
The governments Official entertainment of
the delegates will not be lavish, but rather
will be In the same good taste as is its atti-
tude with reference to the program. Moth
Ing Will be arranged which could In any
way interfere with the work of the con-
haa
900 gulden $4,000 for the reception of the
countrys guests, but this covers the ex-
penses In connection with the sitting of
the Hall Of the knights" In addition the
government will give entertainment, the
nature of which has not been definitely de-
termined, except that 1t will not be an even
ing reception. More probably 1t will take
the form OF day trip or excursion to some
interesting historical spot. The municipal
ity win give a formal reception. Queen
Wilhelminas out of her privy purse, will
also entertain the delegates as a body. In
1883 she received them in the old royal pal
ace at Amsterdam, but this year she will
offer her hospitality at Het Loo. her coun-
try seat. about an hours run from The
Hague.
Beyond these official functions there will
be much private entertaining by the Dutch
aristooracy and among the diplomats them
selves. In addition, the delegates will not
lack for distract .on In their idle moments
The city il almost ideal In the summer, 1,
lies plcturesquely In a low, green land
scape, threaded with canals and dotted
with characteristic Dutch wfndmills. and
IL always cooled by the breeEes Of the sea
two miles away. The streets are quiet and
the homes and villas OF the Dutch aristoo-
raey bearing testimony to the fortunes
amassed in the East Indies. give It an ali
Of elegant comopolitanism.
Minister Hin Is extremely anxious that
the ceremony OF the laying OF the corner
stone Of the Palace OF Peace. to which An
drew Carnegie has subscribed 81, 10000, shall
take place before the conference adjourns
The site of the building has been chosen
in a park called the "Benoordenhoutsche
Peider," but the plans have not yet been
definitely approved. The lowest estimate
Of the duration OF the conference is siN
[ weeks and the prevailing belief is that II
win be In session between two and three
months.
rvftish DeI~f--'f~p '-7tnstructed.
LONDON. June 2.--Although The Hague
conference IT" within fortnight, thu
British deleg, have not yet been In
structed as to tie attitude they shall main
tain. This delay in notifying the delegatei
4 Is the result OF the heavy parliamentary
program. which keeps the members OF
the cabinet busy, and the difficulties the
government has had since the collapse Of
the Irish councils bill.
Even Prime Minister Campbell-Banr
mans proposal for a reduction in ex
penditures for ornaments has not yet beer
outlined and while those members OF tbs
government favoring discussion OF the sub
iect still maintain that It should be brought
up, there Is strong feeling thss. aftei
4, all. Il might be better to drop the matter
or leave Il for some other power to IN
troduce.
The government certainly Is greatly dis
appointed at the manner IN which the ques
tion has been received, the United States
aad spain being the only powers showing
any enthusiasm for Il.
Great Britain is anxious TO do nothing a