The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-04-28
W0MAN'S PEACE
C0NGREsSCONYENEs
Fifteen Hundred Delegates From
Worlds Greatest Nations Gather at
The Hague to Hasten End of War
JANE adams NAMED CHAIRMAN
England Representatives Are Re
fused Passports Disruption Avoid
ed Because Of Previous Action.

ed Because Of Previous Action.
The Hague, April 28.-What can
the women of the world do to stop
the war?
A majority Of the delegates were
in their seats when the Women's
| congress opened this morning, and
the German government had raised
the ban.
Most of the Italian women were
absent because Of the fact that war
with Austria is believed imminent. 1t
was stated by DR.. Anna Auspurg that
the congress must be success be-
cause the international feeling for
humanity is higher than patriotism
and stronger than hatred.
Jane Adams Chairman.
Jane Adams, the Chicago philan-
trophist and socialogist, was unani-
mously elected permanent chairman
of the congress.
1t became known today that Eng
land refused majority of it's dele
gates passports on the ground that
the enemy might attempt to make
them disclose military secrets.
Within the next three days some
I F,,1
women, representing all the great
nations-both belligerent and neutral
will endeavor to answer this ques-
ton, as we'll as present for the con-
sideration of the various govern
ments the claims Of womanhood both
in the formulation of peace terms,
and afterwards.
At the invitation of the women of
Holland, supported by leaders in the
progressive feminist movement in the
United States particularly the
American Women's Peace Party
and those of the Scandinavian coun-
tries, the International Congress of
Women opened it's first days session
today in this peace capitol of the
world. Among the delegates are
many whose husbands, fathers or
sons are now fighting for their coun-
try-or already have been slain or
MANNED for life. .>
1t is said that practically every one
of the 20 representatives of Germany
army. Owing to the restrictions
against indescriminate travel these
days between France and Holland
through England-only a few French
women SO far have arrived.
Half Are Dutch Women.
More than half the delegates are
Dutch women, and very large per-
centage Of the others are from Den
! mark, Norway and Sweden A party
of fifteen, under the leadership of
Miss Jane Adams, came direct from
the United States, via Rotterdam, in
order to avoid the vexatious delays of
travel through England caused by
the severe regulations regarding wise
of passports, Home Office permits, etc.
Delegations are also present from
Russia Austria, Hungary, Serbia and
even Turkey. One American woman
has come, under her special request,
to voice the plea of the women OF
her country who have been suffering
cruelty in the war. The. war-swept
countries of Belgium and Poland,
Italy, Greece and the other Balkan
states are likewise represented, in
addition to various British colonies
To Avoid Disruption.
| In order to prevent acrimonious de-
bate that might lead to a disruption
of the congress and thus defeat the
objects for which it was called, the
various women's organizations send
ing delegates agreed in advance that
any reference to "relative national
responsibility" for the origin or con.
duct of the war should be considered
out of order. This suggestion was
made by the central committee Of
Dutch women who arranged the de-
tails of the congress and drew up thu
tentative resolutions which will form
the basis for the general discussions
'The only possible objection tt
such a meeting" said one of the or
ganizers today, twas that at this par
tticular time, when national feeling
CONTINUED on last page).