Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-16

the pschsts. There was no mincing of
words when he spoke of the idea of ulti-
mate disarmament. and the inauguration of
a regime of universal peace was relegated
TO the limbo of dreams.
NJ. NeHdoff described this as star float
ing far above this mundane sphere. to be
always striven for, but never attained.
Nations. like individuals" he said quite
frankly, are human, and not the most
perfect judicial system ever invented could
put an end to strife and violence. When
honor and vital interests are at stake, re-
gardless of consequences, neither the for
mrr nor the latter will recognize an au-
thority except personal judgment and per-
SOnh feelings -
stripped of its fine phrases. the speech
Of NJ. Neffdon is considered a deliberate
warning to the conference TO keep down to
the plane of the earth, 10 continue the
work OF the first conference in the direc-
ton of allcviating the terrors of war and
narrowing the chances OF conflict by OPEN
ing wider the door of arbitration, and to
aim toward cancellation and Justice but
not 10 go further.
Speech Clears Atmosphere.
The pious vow that the powers should
study the question of Tightening mill
tary establishments, with which the first
conference concluded its labors. was not
even mentioned. The speech. however. at
least clears the atmosphere and shows that
Russia is determined To try TO keep the
conference within her program, and that
50 far the discussion OF the question
of limitation of ornaments is concerned
she lines up Germany and Austria on her
side
In face of this initial reverse it remains
10 bc seen what the powers favorins con-
sideTatlon of the reduction of AMMAN .nts
will do The delegates who insist that this
subject must not he allowed to drop,
matter whether il is possible 10 make an
al in ha a ion of 0it.,fi ion,
or not. manifest some res sntment. They
say they would not have been dissatisfied
had Russia steered clear of the subject
altogether, but expressed the opinion that
this bold attempt to infiu the con-
ference against consideration o. the ques-
tiou Of limitation is highly improper
As matter of fact, President ROose-
Velt carried off the houorS of the inaugu-
raj session. The rounds OF applause which
greeted the high tributes paid the Presi-
dent by both NJ. Van Tets Van Goudrian
and VI NeiidoT were hearty and sponta-
UepUS manifestations. and il is perhaps not
too wush TO say that this incident points
TO II sidcnt Roosevelt and the American
delegation, instead OF Ia the Emperor of
Russia. as the molders of the destnies of
the present conference. At any rate il GER
taiulv shows with what common accord the
world recognizes the lofty motives which
iusp.r' America in international action.
Americans Congratulated
Cen. Horace Porter and the other Ameri-
can representatives -wer. showered with
congratulations after the brief session.
A. a spectacle this congress Of 30 en-
v1yS. representing iorty-~-ven powers. was
not particularly imposing. 1t lacked the
npuu In! glitter and array Of splendid
uniforms which add such an outward
dignity 70 olt-world ceremony, Yet the i'm
mems. significance of the fact that for the
first TINE every civilized country of the
globe was represented under one roof i'm
pressed the mind as the pruudCSt court
SCENE OF Europe could not have done.
Tie interior of the ancient hunting castle
az t'ts counts OF Holland, where the con-
ference met. rcsrmtled nothing so much as
the inside of a vast cathedral or church.
The stained glass windows and the lofty
guIHI, OAK ceiling enforced this impression.
but the enormous Dutch fireplace where the
altar would have been undecrived the
spectator
The entire floor except for the narrow
-pI,. RATED OFF ~ the rrlr. which was re
SERVED today Tor representatives of the
.r,-~. was occupied 10y The Delegates, whose
seats aad green haiZ" desks are arranged
bike prw- tho center being ianked with
srfI~.t lateral rows OF desks. The presiding
officer occupied platform in front. his
tFu hair hisrrung the half circle Of places
reserved 'uT the vice president and chair
us.r uf the various committees when APP
pointed. y small gallery running across
Tine T,A. OF tine room was occupied today by
utt uT sixty OF ;He wives and other rela-
uv'~ "i H." del .g.tte- WHO were the only
unofficial spectators present, with the eX
Ccptou uf about hGlf hundred newspaper
t"ric-p 1dcHts.
World Powers in Front
Although the delegate. have been seated
in alphabetic order according 10 the names
OF the countries they represent by a trick
81 manipulation the world powers have all
been given prominent places in front and
On the sides within easy speaking distance
OF the chair
CHANGING over the assemblage the eve
made hardly any distinction between the
greatest and the humblest delegate. The
simple black apparel of the representatives
seemed to reduce all for the moment to
level. Men whose names IA