THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 13

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

A .MORE HOPEFUL PROSPECT. "

AMSTERDAM, May 22.

Russia had no definite scheme of ' disarmament fco submit co the conference, wuile France refused to accept a population basis. The representatives of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austto-Hungary, and Italy) are opposed to arbitration. ; > May 23.

I A majority of delegates to the Peace i/Conference are hopeful that the conference [ will render wars rarer, but disarmament is 1 pronounced remote.

Twenty-five States participate in the various committees appointed by the Peace Conference.

M. Bloch, a Russian peace apcstle, hopes that disarmament will follow the conference. He .declares that the world's disarmament ' will follow the world's adoption' of arbitration, whereto the labours of the conference 'will be chiefly restricted. May 26.

At the Peace Conference, despite objections raised by several of the European Powers, America insists on the discussion of the question of the seizure of private property at sea during time of war, and she will probably succeed.

The Arbitration Committee of the Peace Conference adopted the principle of mediation and arbitration, and appointed a subcommittee to study the Russian and AngloAmerican projects.

The sitting of the conference is momentous and full of surprises.

Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British representative, proposed the establishment of a permanent tribunal, as the Russian scheme did not provide for permanence. M. de Stael, the Russian representative, thereupon introduced a new scheme.

The Russian delegates failed to dissuade the conference from communicating short reports of the proceedings to the newspapers, Belgium and Holland threatening to withdraw if such a, course was adopted.

The censorship of Russia prevents newspapers there publishing news of the conference.

LONDON, May 23.

The Times declares that the prospect of the Peace Conference accomplishing something has improved.

A resident of Pahiatua, 96 years of age, has 14 children living, the eldest of. wiwjm is. 63.

Mr W. S. Waterston, of the Bluff, has received a cable announcing the death at sea of Captain M'Gregor, of the barque Alexa, on her voyage from Port Pirie to Mossel Bay, South Africa, at which port she arrived on May 24, after a long passage of 85 "days, the joate beinur in charge

The Nelson City Council has allowed cyclists to use a certain footpath in that town owing to the roadway being unfit to ride on.

In Palmerston North last week a young woman who considered that a young man had cast a reflection on her character, followed him into a hotel bar and horsewhipped him.