Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-21
CONFERENCE OF ALL NATIONS
United States Calls Meeting at The
Hague to Consider Resources.
STATEMENT FROM WHITE HOUSE
umb of Favorable Replies RE-
ceived 20 Preliminary Note sent
Out LAST MOnth-BIE Prob
lens 60 Consider.

WASHINGTON. Feb $50 thoroughly
Impressed Is President Roosevelt with the
Necessity Of conservation Of the natural
resources OF the world that he today d.
rected Secretary Of State Bacon, at the
suggestion OF the North American con-
servation conference. In session here. to
extend a formal invitation to foreign
powers to participate in an International
conference to deal with this important
problem to be held at The Hague next
September.
The announcement OF the proposed inter-
Z ationai gathering was made by President
Roosevelt following a luncheon which he
today gave in honor of the Commissioner
from this country, Canada and Mexico,
who are in attendance upon the North
American Conservation congress. In add.
ton Ambassador Bryce OF Great Britain.
Senator Knox and others were present.
Senator Knox, who Is to be secretary Of
state in Mr.. Taft's cabinet. Is in hearty
sympathy with the idea of q worlds con-
ference. All Of the forty-five nations
represented at The Hague peace conference
will be invited to participate.
Statement from Whit House.
In an official statement given out at the
III I1Obbe touikuN II WINS dhiOunNtA
that the conference delegates. representing
the United States, Canada and Mexico,
upon having exchanged views and consid-
cred the information supplied from their
respective countries. are convinced Of the
Importance of the movement for the con-
servaaIon of mutual resources on the
continent of North America and believe
that IL is OF such a nature and OF such
- 49, "A 49, ANxAAxaA
worldwide in its scope and therefore sug-
gested to the president that all nations
should be invited to join in a conference
on the subject of world resources and their
inventory. conservation and wise utilization.
Anticipating the interest which would
naturally be aroused in other countries by
the present conference. the president him
self saw the probability that 1t would be
a precursor of a world conference. BY q
note on January 6 last the principal gov
ernments were Informally sounded 10 ascer-
tain whether they would look with favor
upon an invitation to send delegates to
such a conference. The responses nave so
far been uniformly favorable.
Big Problems to Consoles.
That President Roosevelt is deeply con-
cerned regarding certain phases Of the
natural resources of countries other than
the United States. especially that Of the
denuding of the forests and the diminish
ing water supply Of those countries. was
made known to those who discussed the
matter with him today. 1t is believed that
all nations invited will accept the invita-
ton with the same degree of cordially
with which Canada and Mexico accepted
the invitation to participate In the North
American conference. 1t was learned today
that at least two foreign powers felt keenly
disappointed because they were not invited
to meet with the North American confer
ence and they have suggested the advise
bility OF an international conference
through correspondence and through their
dipic matte representatives.
II asmuch as the initial movement has
been taken by President Roosevelt the engi-
neering of the matter will be left to this
government. It has not been decided
VII ether congress will be asked to make
a Greet appropriation or whether the
money can be used out of some contingent
fund to carry out the projected conference.