Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14

at The Hague In the AZ
tempt to solve the problem of arbitration.
a work begun eight years ago under the
inspiration Of the Emperor OF Russia
Between the first conference and the
second there Is vast gulf
1.-The first conference" writes NJ. Andre
Tardieu in La Revue des Deux Mondes for
June finished by a deception. having
commenced by an error" The Russian
circular in 1898 said: The maintenance
Of general peace and the possible reduc-
ton Of excessive ornaments. which OPP
press all nations. in the actual situation
Of the entire world. Is the ideal toward
which the whole efforts Of all govern
ments should tend"
The second conference began by the
elimination Of the question of the limita-
ton Of ornaments. Its sphere OF action
Is, therefore, limited. and discussions In
the conference are purely platonlc: -,
conference has many dangerous friends.
It provokes the enthusiasm of guileless
idealists. 1t is compromised by the ap-
it more powerful for the good of hui
manity than it really is. 1t Is compro-
missed likewise by willy anarchists VINO
expect from 1t some efficacious remedy
for social Ills of which they complain.
It pleases peace leaguers and disarma-
ment syndicates. 1t Is a source OF dis
quiet for those who do not partake OF the
confident serenity Of one class or the
ruinous manias Of the other. Briefly,
there seems a disposition to ask Of 1t
either too much or too little.
The first conference. 1t should be re-
called, accomplished but small part of
the object for which 1t was
First convened. 1t declared that
the Limitation Of military
burdens was greatly to be
desired for the increased general good
and the morale of humanity. 1t rejected
the proposition to adopt a common type
of naval cannon, also the article con-
corning torpedo submarines and rams.
1t rejected likewise the Russian sug-
gestion to interdict new types Of ar
tillery feidpieces and infantry guns.
the employment Of asphyxiating gases
and dumdum balls. The only prac-
teal result was the Introduction to
throw projectiles from balloons in air.
convention which is barred by time, but
even If that were not so, the present con-
ditfons would perhaps render a renewal
of that convention exceedingly doubtful.
The proposition as to wounded In ships
submitted by the United States not
sustained either by England or by France.
The conference voted unanimously. how
ever. the immunity of hospital ships. In
war on land the only appreciate progress
effected was the freedom in transit of sue
cor to the sick and wounded. A suggestion
by NJ. Martens to clear up the cause of
Incidents with view to prevent war. was
adopted The incident at Hull. for example,
may be cited as to the efficacy of that
provision. for it was due to the commits
sion which assembled in Paris under the
presidency Of Admiral Fourier that
Angao-Russian war was not added to the
RusSo-JapaneSe conflict.
Finally, the first confer ence treated the
subject of capitulations armistices parlia-
mentarians, spies. mines. sdeges and bonn
bardments. Obligatory arbitration was
jected equally by England. Germany and
the United States. The extension of the
principles of the Geneva convention to mari
time war was concurred in by all. Eng
land Germany. the United States and Tur-
key voting with certain reservations.
The origin of the present conference dates
from the summer Of 1904 when the inter-
parliamentary congress as
American sembled at St Louis sug-
gested that the President of
the United States be re-
quested to convoke the powers to second
peace conference. On October 81 the Pres
ident addressed the governments sig
natory of the act of July %, 1899, and all
replied affirmatively except Russia. who
asked. because Of the war in which she was
ence might be deferred.
When the treaty of Portsmouth was
signed in September. 1905, Emperor Mich
olas II proposed the second peace confer
ence and on April 4, 1906, the following
note was communicated to the powers:
The imperial government does not think
1t we'll to proceed to the examination Of
questions other than those which are urg-
ent and which result from the experience
of late years. without touching those which
may concern the limitation OF military or
naval forces" On the other hand, the
Russian government proposed to augment
as far possible the number Of the states
participating. The Russian government,
without establishing program. suggested
the following subjects as meriting the spe-
cial attention of the powers: Ameiora-
ing international questions and the organi-
cation of International commissions of in
quest: changes in the convention of 1899
relative to the laws of war on land and the
renewal Of the declaration of 1899 relative
to the employment of military balloons;
the elaboration of a convention relating to
maritime conflicts.
A second note, proposing that the pro-
ceedings should follow those Of the stipu-
lations Of $780, was followed by a third
note, referring to the reunion at Geneva
and that at Rio de Janeiro. At the latter.
on July 81. 1906, pan-American congress
would assemble and discuss questions, not
ably the Drago dOctrine-that Is to say, that
European powers had no right to recover
by force debts contracted by South Ameri-
can governments or their nationals. FL
nally, after much discussion over the ques-
ton of the limitation Of ornaments the
government of the Netherlands sent out
the official invitations.
In M. Neldovs opening address he said:
Let US not forget that there Is series of
causes where the honor the
Opening dignity and essential inter-
aaa.,. ests of individuals as we'll as
nations are engaged; where
the as the other would not recognize
other authority than that Of their own
proper judgment and their individual SEN
timents''
The Temps commenting upon this express
sion. writes that it Is curious to note that
the state of mind expressed by M. Nelidov
is gaining ground not only in the confer
ence. but with the public. The Temps then
refers to an essay on International Consti-
tuition" by an Italian writer NJ. Umano.
The author criticises arbitration severely
and says: 1T would be absurd cowardiy
and contrary to true, civilization to adopt
obligatory arbitration. To wish that ma
lions remain Independent and separate
agreeing that they will have RECOURSE to-
obligatory arbitration In case of intar