New-York tribune., 1907-05-27
THE HALL or KNIGHTS.
Castle Where Peace Delegates WIL
Meet, and Its History.

The Hague. May 26-The sittings of the second
peace conference Will be held in thirteenth cen
tury castle built for the counts OF Holland in the
days when they together with the bishops of
Utrecht and the dukes OF Guelders. ruled the Low
Countries. The House in the Woods ('Huis ten
Bosch') the former royal villa in the Haagsche
Forest in the orange salon OF which the first
peace conference met in 1899. found small
accommodate the delegates OF the forty-six
countries to be represented the present confer
ence. and the Dutch government decided TO fit up
and place the disposal of its distinguished guests
the ancient castle known in years the
Hall OF knights. The work of preparing the inte-
rOr is being completed.
The Hall OF knights Is n large gloomy structure
OF and brick In the heart of irregular pile
together. form the Binnenhof-the fortress of the
city The Binnenhof is the most historical spot in
Holland. about ii clustering the memories OF the
eighty year struggle which finally resulted in re-
lieyiug the Dutch from the Spanish yoke: the
glories OF the republic when the States General
ruled and the Shareholders lived here. when Dutch
commerce the largest in the world and tri-
umphant Dutch warshps even ascended the Thames
and threatened London. The building OF the old
States General, lying the north. is used by
the upper chamber OF the Dutch parliament while
the ballroom of the Stockholders residence the
south. has become the home OF the lower house.
The other buildings inclosng the square used
by the various government departments Along
the VyVer.
The Hall knights stands in the centre of a
paved court. and is reached through half a dozen
picturesque portals, which chiseed the
arms OF the OF Holland. The moat and pos
have long since disappeared and to-day the old
building looks less like castle than like ancient
church. Begun about 1910 by Count William H.
afterward elected Emperor of Germany through the
influence Innocent ", the building was extended
by his F1oris who used it a hunting palace.
The interior consists OF a single enormous hail.
occupying the entire space within the churchIike
in front and a series of smaller halls and
in the The large hall the great
dining of the counts and their knights when
they mado their bunting expeditions to the North
Sea marshes. 1t is here that the plenary sessions
OF the conference will be held
After the rise of the republic the castle gradually
fell into decay. Its main in those days for
the drawing of the national lottery, which took
place in the main hall. where the conference will
sit, and the name Lottery Hall" still clings 10 IT,
although distinctly discouraged by the government
Toward the close of the eighteenth century Il por-
tion OF tho building was restored and decorated.
and after Louis Bonaparte was expelled. in 1913. II
used as the seat of the high civil and criminal
and In 1900 the work of restoration began Since 1902
f oe 20 'gt ,b TnIisas ~ parsmant eSS u 'e
The hall about fifty by eighty feet and Is lofty.
but the huge beams and rafters of the vauted roof
give IL a taveruous appearance In preparation for
the conference many electric lights hanging from
the rafters have been installed to reinforce the
dim light from tho high stained glass windows.
in a church and fanked either side by
lateral rows. covered with green baize. and
each has single pewter inkwell set In the right
hand In front Is n low roStrum for the pre-
siding officer, with the desks of the secretaries
ranged behind in the form of a semicircle. The
whole object apparently is to bring the delegates
as close together possible and permi, easy
exchange OF ideas. The general effect is OF
simplicity. The committee in tho
rear are spacious. but also sombre.
assistants and suites has been difficult. owing TO
I he limited hotel accommodations Within the city
proper there is only hotel fitted for entertain
ment of the diplomats This is the Hotel des IndeS,
well appointed but. not large. 1t faces the Lange
Voorhut one of the principal squares
side OF which is the palace of the Queen Mother
and on the other side the American Legation and
the RoyaI Library. Here will be quartered the
American, English Japanese, Italian, Spanish. Chi
nese and Brazilian delegations. The Americans,
through the promptness OF the United States Min
lister. Mr. Hill, have obtained the pick of the
apartments. practically the entire first floor having
been reserved for them The Americans alone will
have their chancelery in the hotel. the other dele
lack of room, to establish ChanceerteS outside.
There are several minor hotels at which some OF
the representatives OF the smaller powers will find
the Turks having engaged quar-
ters AT the Hotel de Vile Fortunately the dearth
of accommodation in the city is than COM
pensated for by the splendid hotels at Schevenin-
the most fashionable watering resorts the North
Sea. The German. Russian. French and Austrian
delega tions have taken practically the entire Pal
ace Hotel there. Few OF the South American coun-
out diplomatic representa- tives at The Hague, eX-
cept those who accredited generally to Europe
and live in Paris or London and it is feared that
In the general scramble when the delegates begin
TO arrive. they may fare badly.
RRITISA POIICY DISGUISED