PARLIAMENTARY CONGRESS.

Evening Star, Issue 12874, 25 July 1906, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY CONGRESS.

A HISTORIC GATHERING. THE KING’S MESSAGE. GREAT RECEPTION OP THE DUMA DELEGATES. Press Association—-By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 24. (Received July 25, at 7.46 a.m.) Lord Weardale is presiding at the Conference of International Parliamentary Delegates. Sir H. Campbell - Banner man, Lord Tweedmouth, Lord Carrington, Lord Crewe, a»d Lord Avebury are among the British representatives. The six members of the Russian Duma received an impressive welcome, the whole conference rising to their feet and cheering them enthusiastically. _ Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman read a stirring address in French, welcoming the Conference in the name of the British Government and the King. The latter especially desired to express lus interest in what he felt was a historic gathering. The Government unreservedly associated themselves with the objects of the Conference. He hoped their deliberations would promote a closer understanding between the nations. Already thirty-eight arbitration agreements tod been concluded between tho different Powers, ten being on behalf of Great Britain. This was a solid and splendid achievement, and he hoped ere long that the principle of arbitration would be extended over a wider field of international differences.

(Received July 26, at 8.15 a.m.) Sff Henry, continuing, said: “It is deplorable that there is no corresponding reduction in the world’s armaments. The nations are still racing one against the other after a phantom security, which continually vanishes as we approach it. The democracy must soon recognise that they are the victims of war and militarism.” In wdconung the members of the Duma Sir Henry declined to comment on the recent dissolution, except to say that new institutions often have a stormy youth. Ihe Duma, he said, will revive in one form or another, and wo can say with all sincerity; “The Duma is dead, long live the Duma!’—(Loud cheers.) He hoped the nations attending ’The Hague Conference -°«Mgo, like the British representatives, pledged to diminish the charges in respect to armaments. He eulogised the Czar as n Co7 ? vem!r ? f Th® Hague Conference. On the motion of Count Apponyi (Hungary) the Conference thanked King Edward for his message.

Professor Kovalevsky regretted that the mission of the Duma’s delegates had been wrought abruptly to an end. The delegates intended to return to Russia with the unshakable resolve to continue the great fight for freedom and a place in the world.

The Conference resolved that it would be advantageous to give The Hague Conference more permanent influence in the work of pacification.

Mr W. J. Bryan (United States) proposed that a model treaty of arbitration should provide for an investigation by an impartial international tribunal before war in all cases, the disnntants reserving the right to act independently afterwards.