PEACE CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13832, 20 February 1907, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE

HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

VIEWS OF THE BRITISH PREMIER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 18. In connection with the programme of the forthcoming Peace Conference, the Daily News expresses (lie hope that the Government will not lightly disappoint the high Jwpcs raised by Sir H, Campbell-Banner-miin in his memorable words uttered at the International Parliamentary Conference held in London in July last.

A cablegram published yesterday stated that the question of disarmament is not. mentioned on tho final programme for the coming Peace Conference at The Hague, whereas, the Inter-Parliamentary Conference in iluiy last passed a resolution expressing emphatically the wish lliat the question of limitation of armaments should be discussed. The British Prime Minister said "that the Government wished unreservedly to associate themselves with tlie purpose of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference's mission, and asked those present to luge their Governments in the name of humanity to go into The Hague Conference as we ourselves hope to go, pledged to diminish charges iu regard lo armament.-:."

On January 8 the Matin (Paris) publishes an interview with Mr W. 'I'. Stead on tho line of action which England proposes to take ai„ Tho Hague Conference. Air Stead snid Sir Henry CampbeH-Bannerman attaches such great importance lo the coming coufcrence that it is not impossible that lie will represent Great Britain himself us Minister . Plenipotentiary. Tho Prime Minister is warmly supported by Sir Edward Grey. Every Power in the world will lie represented; except tho Republic of Liberia. .The official programme shows that discussion will once more take place on tlio questions of contraband of war, tho. right* of neutrals, new explosives; but tho supreme question is whether civilised peoples cannot agree to render war as rare as possible, if not to prevent it altogether in the future.

Mv St-uatl (says the Matin) declares iliat fhis question will lie raised by England herself, in default of other countries. Sir Kdward Grey lias formally assured him of fhis, and authorised him io make it public. "There two things/' said Mr Stcarl, "that wo wish lo ask the plenipotentiaries about to meet at 3'ho Hague. The lirst is—And I have Sir Henry CampbcllBannorman'.s formal assent, in respect thereto—to propose that henceforth all civilised countries should set aside in their Budget a sum, however small, for the propagation of peace ideas. The second point, to which wo.attach considerable importance, is lo render obligatory Article 8 of the act signed at. The Hague, in 1899, to the cfl'ect that in case of conflict being imminent between two countries, a third Power has always the right to offer its mediation,' without either of the future belljgercnls taking offence thereat. We should like lo strengthen this Article 8 by an international convention that in ease of conflict imminent between two countries neither of the two shall open hostilities before a delay of 15 In 20 days. During t)iis interval two friendly Powers cliall have the right to intervene, and endeavour to settle the difference." If either of the Powers refused to wait for 20 days, or lo accept any mediation, the signatory Powers could punish it by refusing aiiy financial or commercial help during the war—especially any loan. Die Post gives the German view of the Peace Conference in the following words: "I'or 36 years past wo have possessed the bosfc guarantee of peace in our good armament. Our nation needs no war, and is peaceably inclined. If disarmament is to come, let other nations which have frcqucptly threatened to disturb peace take tho lirst step. We have no reason to assume the lead in this path, or to enter into any obligations before we have seen deeds."