New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-10

American delegates toward these subjects. about
Whlch there has been much speculation. is.
after ALL reasonably clear. A careful perusal
or Secretary Roots public. utterances discloses
Ine attitude of the American delegates. though
0I course not the details of their instructions.
III substance their instructions to the effect
that from the beginning America has held that
the limitation of ornaments being a legacy
from the first conference. cannot he ignored and
should be discussed at the second conference.
realizing that from its isolated position tho
United States IS less affected by the needs of
great ornaments than are the closely crowded
countries OF Europe, Mr.. Root believes that the
very fact OF our isolation and compar ative free
Corn from danger on this score makes IL possible
TOT America TO advance the proposal with more
advantage than any other nation and without
aTV question of our disinterestedness No mat
ter what scheme OF limitation is urged II can
not be said that America Is in any danger of
reaching that limitation for many years to como
But regardless of the action or non-action Of
Great Britain and Spain-the two powers that
have aligned with America in supporting the
proposal to discuss this great questionable eff
iort 70 nave IT considered by the conference will
DC made AS Secretary Root has said: 1T may
fail in this conference as il failed in the first
but even If It fails one more step will have
been taken toward ultimate success
Every great advance that civilization has ma de
on its road from savagery has been upon the
stepping stones of failure. and a good fight
nraEely lost for sound principle is always a
good victory"
THE DRAGO DOCTRINE
Originating with America, the famous Drago
u
form to the second conference not as one Of
the articles of the set programme, but as one
for optional discussion. must of course, be
urged with all the ability of the trained dplo-
matists of the American delegation. It will be
represented by them that the attempt to collect
debts due the citizens of one nation by the gov
eminent of another has had most deplorable
consequences; that II results in the subjugation
or weaker nations; that all principles of Justice
are violated and that INSCRIPTIONS claimants
find opportunities 10 collect enormous sums in
excess OF their reasonable claims from helpless
peoples. The American proposition is to
encounter strong opposition from the creditor
nations of Europe, but IT will be urged as a
matter of justice. 1t is scarcely expected that
any complete agreement can be reached to re-
frain from the exercise of force where a debtor
nation Is clearly guilty of fraud and bad faith
in its dealings with creditors. but 1t is hoped
that the conference may be induced to restrict
cases. The American delegates will urge that
nearly all Of these claims proper subjects
for arbitration, whereby eXorbitant demands of
relentless creditors may be modified and re-
duCcd by impartial judges.
Secretary Root has always stated that MOTH
Ing Is TO be accomplished in this second con-
ference by coercion. and the American delegates
are thoroughly impregnated with that belief.
They do not expect too much from the con-
ference, but they believe, as Secretary Root has
said; THE greatest benefit OF the peace con-
ference of 1907 will be, as was that of the peace
ence itself; in its powerful influence In moulding
the characters OF men; in the spectacle of all Of
the great powers Of the earth meeting In the
name Of peace and exalting as worthy Of honor
and desire national self-Control and Considerate
judgment and willingness 10 do Justice"