PALACE OP PEACE ' I* I Ml I SARCASTIC PRESS COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 53, 30 August 1913, Page 5

PALACE OP PEACE ' I* I Ml I SARCASTIC PRESS COMMENTS

STATESMEN'S PROFESSIONS AND CONDUCT "VIOLENCE, BLOODSHED, AND PERFIDY." (By Tclcgraph.-Pre»s Association.— Copyright,) (Received August 30, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, 29th August. The Daily News, discussing the ■Palace of Peace openihg ceremony at The Hague, emphasises the contrast between statesmen's professions and conduct, and enumerates the wars since the Tsar's Rescript of 1898", coupling therewith the horrors of Russian repressions. The paper says: "The list covers a, period of violence, bloodshed, and perfidy, unparalleled' m any century. With few exceptions, the statesmen of the world still believe in force, in the sword more than in treaties, ih accomplished fact more than in' justice. Perhaps the moral is that it is more difficult to change the mentality of Governments than of the people, since the propaganda of peace c&h be more profitably addressed to the latter. The Standard, under the heading "The Great Hague Joke," refers to costly wars that have taken place since the Tsar's Rescript started a. colossal sham. It adds. "Braail, in sending a warship in honour of The Hague ceremonies, shows a fine sense of the fitness of tilings. Had others desired to tell the truth instead of countenancing a polite piece of humbug, they would have seni, Dreadnoughts with flags inscribed, "The Real Defenders of the World's Peace,' for not a, Hague Conference but army corps and battleships can prevent rivalries from bursting into flame. We must face that fact. While every nation is sincerely desirous to keep the peace as long as possible, all are convinced that there is no guarantee against agression but their own ability to defend themselves." WELCOME ON MANY GROUNDS. BRITAIN ALWAYS READY FOR ARBITRATION. Times— Sydney Sun Special Cables. LONDON, 29th August, i Referring to the opening of The Hague Peace Palace, The Times welcomes the completion of the work on many grounds. "The British Government,*' it says, "with the entire approval of the nation, has shown readiness before now both to refer its disputes with its neighbours to the judgment of the arbitrators, and to abide by the decisions of the tribunal. The Delagoa Bay case is only one instance? among a number. We have every wish tnat this example should be widely followed. Even if The Hague Tribunal fails to avert armed conflicts, it may still help to shorten their duration. .