New-York tribune., 1907-06-18
GLOOM AT THE HAGUE.
Bloc to Disarmament - Cars
Action Deeply Regretted.

The Hague, June 17.-Although the advocates
of a strong peace policy still insist that the
question of the limitation of ornaments must be
raised in some form before the adjournment of
the Hague conference, the last chance of any
government coming forward openly to propose
the discussion disappeared with the knowledge
that the government Of the United States con-
sidered that the initiative belonged TO Europe
and not to America.
Conferences of the leaders of the delegations
of the great powers this afternoon resulted in
a decision 10 recommend the appointment If
only four committees to consider the subjects
enumerated under the four heads in the Russian
circular of April last.
NJ. Nedoff's depressing utterances at the
opening of the conference coupled with the dis
solution of the Douma at the moment Of the
assembling of the conference, have caused many
expressions of regret that President Roosevelt
yielded the initiative of the second conference
to Emperor Nicholas The correspondent of The
Associated Press has heard dozens of delegates
making conjeCtures on the different effect which
would have been produced had the keynote been
sounded by country inspired by democratic
tendencies. AS matters now stand, neither Eng
land any of her Continental friends is
ready to move lest the mere suggestion OF de-
batting the question or the limitation OF dIild-
ments inject spirit of discord which would
endanser useful work and possibly break up the
conference under circumstances which would
postpone another meeting indefinitely
The dissolution and its possible consequences
continue to absorb much attention as the
prospects of the conference. and there is Consid-
erabc conjecture whether public sentiment may
not force Great Britain to change her present
attitude. Many stupid stories are aftOat, inciud-
ing TO the effect that Great Britain or Amer
too raic tla ttari in ha conference 4
serious report, however, says that some mem
bers of the former Russian parliament are on
their way to The Hague for the purpose of APP
pcaling TO the conference. Their appearance
here, Clamoring TO be heard which manifestly
is impossible. would be regarded extremely
deplorable by those who believe the conference
should avoid everything likely TO precipitate
trouble.
NJ. Nelidoff, the president. requested The As
soCiated Press to deny absolutely that he
changed a word in his opening speech on ac-
count OF the decision to dissolve the Douma,
saying that the latter was an internal affair OF
Russia with which the conference had no con-
nection. NJ. NeIidoff also took the occasion 10
pronounce the reportl that he would retire from
the presidency OF tn conference on the ground
Of poor health to be unfounded He rode in
motor car TO Scheveningen to-day.
Grimly and somewhat discOnsolately. there
fore. the preparations for the real work are pro-
ceeding The time between now and Wednesday
VIII be occupied with conferences Of the leaders
OF the larger powers regarding the programme
for organization and appointments of commit
tees. The American delegation is not asking
much for itself III the way OF honors preferrins
TO seek recognition for the Latin American
countries which are entering the conference
under its auspices.
NJ. Nelidof to-day received a committee repre-
sentinE the International Conference OF Women.
composed of Mrs. Ogilvie Gordon. of Scotland;
Frau Sttt. OF Berlin and Nine Chaponniere. OF
Switzerland, who presented address written
by Lady Aberdeen. expressing the sympathy of
five million women Of twenty countries with the
movement TO relieve the world OF the burden and
horrors OF war.
The women delegates held meeting tonight
at Schevcningen at which addresses were made
by Mrs. Henry Willard. of Boston. and Baroness
Suttner Mrs Corey Richards. Of Chicago. Is
here for the purpose Of presenting resolutions on
behalf Of the Advanced Thought Society.
The proposal to compromise the differences
between Great Britain and America and the Con-
tinenta powers the subject Of the immunity
of private property the is being discussed.
1t Is proposed 10 treat private property
in the same manner as private property on
land, in other words. to make certain ships sub
ject 10 use by the enemy but forbddng their
destruction and requiring their restoration with /
indemnity at the close Of the Such com /
promise # Is believed, would satisfy America /
and the Continental powers. and the same /
time would preserve the main contention OF
Great Britain for the right 10 destroy an enemys
communications