New-York tribune., 1907-02-03
WORLD AFFAIRS VIEWED BY OBSERVERS ABROAD
TOPICS TO BE TAKEN UP
TH4GUE CONFERENCE
Especial by French Gable to The Tribune
Copyright 1907. by The Tribune Association.


Copyright 1907 by The Tribune Association
Paris Feb. 2.-The success or the failure of
the coming Hague conference depends largely
upon the exchange of views now taking place in
Paris The arrival here Of the eminent Russian
turisconsut. NJ de Martens, intrusted by I'm
peror Nicholas with the task Of drawing up the
programme defining and restricting the sub
4ects 10 be discussed at the conference comedies
with the sudden visit OF King Edward who has
expressed his conviction that the conference VIII
receive his jealous sympathy and support. and
VIII have practical and far reaching results
These views Of King Edward are enthusiast
cally Endorsed by President Fallieres. by Premier
Clemenceau and by NJ. Pichon, Minister of For
elgn Affairs. Moreover. France in her double
capacity an ally of Russia and party TO
the entente cordiale with England exerts prob
ably 2 greater influence than any other one
power in the vital matter of preparing the list
Of subjects be inscribed on the order of the
dav Of the conference. NJ de Martens and NJ
Pichon consider that the success Of the con-
ference would be compromised If the list of sub
5ects includes matters upon which there is no
prospect Of obtaining the support of all the
governments represented. First among these is
the question of the limitation Of ornaments
which Chancellor Won BIlow, expressing the
Etrong. personal views of Emperor William, has
already informed NJ. de Martens he will formally
and categoricaiy oppose AS any decision OF
the conference must be unanimous be ef-
feotive, this action Of the German Chancellor
eliminates from The Hague programme that
subject, so strongly advocated by Sir Henry
Campbell -Bannerman.
DRAGO DOCTRINE MAY COME Up
The second important topic upon which a
difference Of opinion has already manifested
Itself is that OF the Drago doctrine. or the Ques-
ton whether nation may lawfully use force TO
compel another power TO pay its debts. Upon
this point NJ de Martens had exhaustive con-
versations ar Berlin with Ambassador Charlie
r7agne Tower who urged that the Drago doc
trlre be inscribed on The Hague programme
Here again opposition met with on the
rsrr Of Chancellor Won B1low. who thought the
discussion Of the Drago doctrine inopportune,
that II could not be restricted within the limits
Of pure Jurisprudence, that Il would assume an
essentially political character and compromise
the success of the conference. In reference to
the Drago doctrine, your correspondent IS
authorized from the highest source TO state that
NM de Martens and Pichon agree that the
D-ago doctrine. although not 10 be actually in
scribed on the official programme, may be prop
ery discussed at the conference on the propo-
Eition Of any nation. provided that nation sub
rnits beforehand 10 the conference its views on
the subject in explicit and practical shape, and
that a majority Of representatives shall pro
1ounce in favor Of discussing It At present
The Hague programme is limited to drawing up
rules for peaceful international litigation. for
conventions regulating methods Of warfare
land and on sea- and for further developments
Of the Geneva Cross international hospital and
sanitary services.
PREMIER CLEKENCEAU'S OUTBURST.
Premier Ciemenceau. who has been suffering
from q slight attack OF grip IS becoming
fatigued with the worries and the annoyances
~ Office. and would personally be glad to re-
tire to private life. He fairly lost his temper
the other day when speaking from the tribune
IN the Chamber OF Deputies, when he burst out
with the remark: THE separation law pro-
vided FOR everything except for what actually
happened. We are in the midst Of the widest
incoherence. L was not I who brought this
bout But I am here and here 1 remain"
NJ BRAND. forthwith feeling insulted, gathered
UP his papers and portfolio and dashed off in
anger, and offered his resignation. Even now
nobody knows whether NJ Clemenceau meant
70 say that he remained in the midst OF wild
incoherence OF as Prime Minister for his words
may be interpreted in either sense OF course,
mutual friends Rverted a Cabinet crisis by
bringing NM. Clemenceau and BRAND together
again. but the incident reveals personal frio-
ton between the members of the government,
and, above all. Premier Clenenceau's indif-
ference to his retention Of Office. The fact
that NJ. Clemenceau, accustomed to being
in The opposition and in the habit Of upsetting
ministries. actually forgot himself; his old jour
nalistc instincts got the upper hand. and he
came within Of capsizing his own Cab
met
LONG DISTANCE PHOTOGRAPRING.
The Premier was. however, in better humor
last night. when he attended, together with
NM. BRAND. Barthou and Picardt, Prince
Roland Bonaparte. Henri Rochefort, Alberto
Santos -Dumont and other prominent Parsians,
the experiments made by Professor Korn. who
by his discovery Of the means and method of
phot0graphing at long distances made by
means Of telephone wires. took an excellent
photograph of President Falleres over the long
circuit of eight hundred miles. NJ Louis
Barthou. Minister Of Public Works, at the con-
clusion Of the experiments, which were emil
nently successful. announced his intention Of
establishing long distance telephotographic posts
between Paris and Marseilles, which shall be at
ps pers. but Of for the detection of criminals
NJ Barthou is also arranging for an interna-
tional service Of the same kind. with the CO.
operation Of the governments Of England and
Germany. for long distance photography be
tween Paris and London and Paris and Frank
fort. c. l. B.