The Washington herald., 1907-02-10
The Congress Of War
Limitations of the Programme of the Impending Hague
Convention Frustrate Its Primary Object

While several weeks will elapse before
the Russian government viii be in a po-
sition 20 submit 70 the foreign powers
the official programme of questions FOR
discussion at the international congress
which is 70 take place In the late spring
or early summer ut The Hague, yet it is
already apparent that the primary object
which President Roosevelt had in view
when he FIRST suggested, two years ago
the organization of this conference, will
be frustrated. For it is practically de-
cided that there can be no discussion Of
the question of disarmament or of the
Drago doctrine. n one word, the entire
time and energies of the palayer viii be-
devoted to the discussion of the laws Of
war. to the modification and extension of
international agreements upon the sub
ject of neutrality, contraband, mainte-
nance of informed troops, and the bel
lgCrent status Of regular armed forces
I'm short, the conference of peace will be
to all intents and purposes one Of war.
1t is just as well that this should be
clearly understood in America For the
self-imposed yet well-inteutioned mission
of W. T. Stead, who possesses unrivaled
means of publicity. is calculated to
create very serious misapprehensious
concerning the character and the pros
poets of the impending congress MI
Stead who every one here knows as the
former editor of the Pail Mall Gazette.
and as the present actual owner and edi-
TOT Of the English Review of Reviews,
claims TO represent the views of Sir Ed
ward Grey. the secretary OF state Tor for
eign affairs and of Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman. the prime minister of the
British empire. But while they like all
others who have the interests Of humanity
and Of peace at heart. must sympathize
with the objects which ". +. stead has
in view, namely, the prevention of war
and the disarmament Of the nations. yet
it is impossible 90 believe that any prac-
teal statesman can indorse the methods
by means Of which DE proposes to accom-
plish his altogether Utopian aims. In
fact, Sir Edward Grey. on being asked at
tho fOreign office about the utterances Of
Mr.. Stead. diselaimad ell responsibility
for them and for the intentions ascribed
10 him in connection with The Hague
conference Indeed il may Zoe questioned
whether Mr. SteaG's tour OF the Euro
pean capitals. and his visit 90 America ii
few weeks hence viii not have the effect
of impairing. rather than promoting. the
cause OF peace, by binding popular senti-
ment TO the real issues that VIII come
before the congress with "a likelihood OF
settlement.
Before however, gong any further INTO
the question OF MI stead MISSION ID
may be as well 20 make IA nrlet mention
of that Of Privy Councillor de Martens
the eminent Russian authority on the sub
jet Of international law, Who was one
of the colleagues or Count Wltte lh the
negotiations for the treaty or peace De-
tween Russia and Japan al portsmouth
y II, two years ago The mission OF
Friry councillor Martens. differing from
Jhat or Editor stead is an entirely tlR-
cIal one and has beeh undertaken IN ne
halt or tAe Gar ana oy lis personal
direction II IS 10 pe regretted mat ms
tour should De restricted 10 Berlin,
Vienna. Paris. Rome, and London. and
that he should ind it impossible To visit
Washington. especially In view Of the
mart rItyad bv President Roosevelt in uro-
..t- ~, e,-rf...--+,.- .-.,- r.,
l'-s 9'ioNe Pc 9oii-'''' o- l''1 Ni''1i M 3
lSlFalt, ana MS sincere enthusiasm lh tht
cause of peace, could not fan 20 create a
profound impression upon the mind of the
Cars erufzsary The burmese Of Prof da
Martens, trfD fs To settle the main points
of -r,. -,---r-,,-,.. .,s -I,,, ,.,.-.f1-,-... -,
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great powers iNd" can As VpI'iIi'u Toy
correspondent. or through the ordinary
diplomatic channels. After the conclusion
of his mission Prof de Martens will re-
+bareunor T}.-ezfq Jointly with Holland
win fes,e 7t,, final 5-r,,,,,,-7,, -, ~, ,.,,f,
,,,ft,e.5 T.. tf. .-,,f.-,. and ls.,,ftf-.. a..
sc1ns of i+s ,7fsr,,zsf.- A. tho +frle -,
writing Pr,f da Martens has ar-s.d,
visited Berlin and paris and has fcu.l
that cerr,a-,,,. as we'll se Franc, ars ah
soIuteIv s.npored to the. ,,rfncirIe of +b,
lfr,7ffa+ior inf arr5ar,f,ts and that Gov
many fs a97arfv in7fsnaead IN admit M
the discussion of the Draro d3ctrine-
that is TO say the question as 10 whether
a nation may lawfully use force to com
pei another power to pay its debts. The
attitude on Germany and France IN tnes'
~ . 80 20 an
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uaturs tn Greet. discard ~, .oFetrI7r+ TN,