New-York tribune., 1907-06-16

but the plan was so changed that the French
delegates were brought Immediately in front OF
the president with the British behind them.
The Dutch were on the presidents left. The
small. single gallery across the rear OF the hall
was filled with the wives and other kinswomen
of the delegates. Among the Americans present
were Mrs. and Miss Choate Mrs. and Miss Rose
and Mines. Buchanan. Sperry, Foster and Davis
Below the gallery an inclosed space was reserved
for the foreign journalists.
DUTCH GOVERNMENTS WELCOME.
The delegations were sober looking, the
attaches wearing dark suits. the only touch OF
color being the red fezes of the Turks and the
purple robes of the Chinese. The military at
tache of Greece Colonel Sapountzaky. alone dis
regarded the request OF the Netherlands Foreign
Office regarding uniforms making himself con-
spicuous with his epaulettes and string of or
ders. Not half dozen of the 239 seats on the
floor were vacant when DIR. d. A W. van Iets
Van Goudrian. the Netherlands Foreign MINI
lister rapped the conference to order. and a hush
fell on the assemblage He welcomed the dele
gates follows:
In the name of the Queen have the honor or
bidding YOU welcome. AsSociating herseh WIN
the desire by which Emperor Nicholas was AMI
mated when he addressed to the powers his pro-
posal to send delegates to the second peace con-
ference the Queen has been happy 10 consent
that her capital once more offer its hospitality
10 your illustrious assembly.
The government of the Netherlands has
directed me on this occasion to give expression
to the sentiments of deep gratitude which IT
entertans toward the Russian Emperor. who
has taken the initiative in calling the conference
and the occasion should not be allowed TO pass
without offering tribute of our gratitude TO
the eminent statesman who presdes over the
destinies of the United States President Roose-
welt. who has powerfully contributed toward
raising the seeds sown by the intiator OF these
assemblies.
The labors of the first conference have been
subjected to criticism but the Judgment
passed on them and the events which nave oc-
curred-which in the opinion of some pes
simists furnished proof of the uselessness of
the conference-have not seriously weakened
the current of opinion favorable to the work or
the assembly of 1899. The best proof that the
peoples and their governments are not lhdlI-
ferent 10 this current of opinion. but are SUD
iect TO its influence is the eagerness with which
the powers responded to the appeal made TO
them. This unanimous welcome seems good
augury which appears to JUSTIFY the nope that
the conference will mark one stage on the road
which should lead to the object in view. Ihe
increase in The number of states represented is
another favorable sign.
propose that the conference SEND the
following dispatch to Emperor Nicholas:
at the commencement of Its abors the second
peace conference lays at the feet of your majesty
its respectful homage and expresses to your
majesty its profound gratitude for having taken
the initiative in continuing the work begun in
1899.
The conference begs your majesty TO believe
I'm its sincere desire TO work with all its strength
TO accomplish the delicate, and at the same time
arduous, task which has been confded 10 it
The minister also expressed the wish shat NJ.
Nelidon, head of the Russian delegation, should
assume the presidency Of the conference, which
was unanimously adopted.
The minister read his speech. enunciating 1t
slowly and with great distinctness. but his voice
did not carry we'll in the cavernous hall His
peror Nicholas and his nomination of NJ. Nedoft
as president Of the conference were well re-
ceved.
THE ADDRESS OF NJ. NELIDOFF.
NJ. Nelidof. after expressing his deep grati
tude for the honor conferred on him in choosing
him for president, said:
I well know that in so doing it was your IN
tenton TO pay homage to the sovereign whom
the peace conferences have been due and to
whom His EXcellency DR.. Tets Gou-
| drian has just alluded in terms which deeply
touched me.
You also doubtless wished to perform an act
| of Difference toward the distinguished states
! man DR. van Tets Van Goudrian, who proposed
| me. believe therefore, that 1 shall be re-
| spending to your unanimous sentiment in re-
| questing His EEcellency DR.. van Tets Van Gou-
| drian. to preserve his connection with the con-
ference by accepting the title of honorary pres-
| dent
i
| the first Netherlands delegate, NJ. de Beaufort,
during whose term of office Foreign Minister
! the conference Of 1890 was held.
! II IS unnecessary TO say that shall do every
! thing in my power 30 render our labors most
| fruitful by endeavoring to preserve harmony.
/ seeking points Of contact and avoiding any
/ thing which may give rise TO too marked di-
f; yergenCes of opinion.
/ hope to he able TO count on your kindly CO.
! operation and aIniable Indulgence 10 second the
! good will 1 bring TO the task.
NJ. Nerdof then asked for authorization to
| send in the name OF the conference tele-
| gram 10 the Queen Of the Netherlands express
/ ing gratitude al the gracious welcome accorded
| the delegates and their homage and respectful
| devotion.
NJ. NelidoT continued:
After the eloquent words heard from Dr. van
| Tets van Goudrain II will be unnecessary for
| me to recall the circumstanees which led up TO
the summoning of the second peace conference
| or to ailude to the share taken in its conVoca-
tion by the eminent chief of the great North
| American confederation, whose generous III, IN
| pulses are always inspired by the noblest senu-
| ments Of Justice and humanity.
| I cannot but feel deeply moved at seeing an
| assembage Of representatives OF nearly every
| constituted state. 1t is the first time such a
| meeting has been held. II is the desire for peace
| most eminent men from all parts of the world
| to discuss in common the most cherished inter
! ests Of humanity, namely, conciliation ana JUS
| tce May ] regard this as happy augury OF
| the progress Of our lahors, and express the hope
| that the harmony which animated the various
| governments will also reign among their repre-
| sentatives and contribute to the successful COM
! pletion of the task which devolves on us?
This task, gentlemen, as set forth In the pro
| gramme of the conference accepted by all the
1 powers. is divided into two parts. On one hand
We seek means to bring about an amicable set
Gement Of the differences which may arise be
| tween the different states, and thus prevent
/ ruptures and armed conflicts
on the other hand. have to endeavor. in
the event of war breaking out, to mitigate its
| ols hot fonts aud