The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-17
ProgreSsiveS Still Con-
fldent of Making Big
Strides Toward
Harmony,
Many Delicate Questions
to Be Settled Before
Naming Com
mitteeS.
BY HAYNE DAVIS.

THE HAGUE. June 1.-THE pessi-
mistic tone Of NJ. NeHdoH, the Russian
ambassador to France, president OF the
second international peace conference, in
his opening address. while more or less
disappointing TO the progressive ele-
lment in the conference, has by no means
dampened their ardor or destroyed their
thope that real progress toward the goal
of universal peace will be made before
This congress passes into history
The progressives, under the leadership
of the United States, will, conservative
~, but none the less forcibly. present
their views to the congress and they
will be supported by the full weight OF
the best element among the delegates
ut can be truthfully said that President
Nelidoff's speech is far below the gen
'eral sentiment of the congress. This
has been day Of conferences among
'the delegates
There are many delicate questions 10
Pbe settled even before the appointment
'of the five principal committees which
VIII really dominate the work 10 be
done here. Among these is the status
of the small countries which really have
little OF no interest in much Of the great
questions which are to be settled. For
d.
by the way, is admitted with the status
sOt sovereign state instead Of as a
Nassal 10 Turkey, or the central Ameri-
can republics, are not practically in
Ierested in the questions extending the
Geneva conventions to naval warfare
or the definition Of the rights Of neu-
trails at sea.
The exact weight. therefore to be
given to these smaller countries in the
voting so as To satisfy them, and at the
same tiine reduce to a minimum the
danger Of log-roning for petty advant-
and IL viii be largely settled by the
representation given 20 this class of
participants in the formation Of the
committees.
Noted Lawyers Present.
A notable feature Of the convention Is
the large number of noted lawyers who
are here as delegates. This may be re-
garded as an augur for good. For law
yers are prone to look on all sides Of the
question and reach compromise. where
compromise is possible. The best i'm
preston now is that the question of dis
armament will hardly be brought Off
Cially before the conference.
1t had been hoped by those who are in
favor OF a declaration on this subject
in the congress, that the United States
might be induced to take the initiative.
Dll L uuueISlanu the american delegates
have concluded that the question is not
vital one to them, and inasmuch as
IL would have no effect whatever on the
question, and may be regarded as a
, European question, that they will not
take the initiative, although disposed
20 act with the nations who are favor
able to a limitation Of armament pro-
grams.
The Dutch government is liable TO
have 10 face a difficult and disagreeabl
question. if, as is threatened. a number
OF the delegates to the dissolved Rus
sian douma come to The Hague for the
purpose OF attacking Russia among the
delegates.
Would Offend Russians.
With Russian president and the con-
gress held under Russian auspices, the
dOumanftes could not be allowed a free
hand without seriously offending the
Russians. while any attempt TO muzzIe
them. would very likely create a bad
feeling among the delegates from gov
ernments which favor a constitutional
government in Russia. The dissolution
OF the douma at the very time Of the
opening of the conference is regarded as
most unfortunate.