THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12018, 20 August 1907, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

The Hague, August 18. At the Peace Conference, Sir Edward Fry (Great Britain) afc a plenary meeting, moved a resolution confirming the 1899 tesolution with regard to the limitation of military cbaTges, and stating that, seeing that these have since considerably increased in nearly every country, the Conference declares it highly desirable that the Governments should resume a serious study of the question. -,____ Sir Edward Fry announced that Britain was prepared to communicate annually to the Powers who would do the Bame gwith her, the programme of constructed new vessels of war and the expenditure entailed. These communications, he said, would facilitate the exchange of views between Governments regarding the reductions whioh might be affected by mutual agreement. _ Mr Choate (United States., M. Bourgeis (France), M. Nehdoff (Russia), and the Spanish representative supported Sir Ed. Fry's resolution, which was adopted by acclamation. Received August 19, 9.21 p.m. August 19. m Sir E. Fry announced that Britain was agreed to adhere to. the declarations adopted in 1899 prohibiting the use of bullets which expand, or easily flatten in the human body; alao the employment of projectiles diffusing asphyxiating or deleterious g ' Paris, August 19. The French papers regard the adoption of Sir E. Fry's limitation of armament resolution, as merely a piece of international politeness. Berlin, August 19. The German Press laugh at the proposal. Received August 19, 10.32 p.m. Sir E. Fry stated that the military expenditure of Europe, the United States and Japan had increased sixty nine million since 1898. Britain recognised that the limitation of military changes was only practicable by means of the good will and free will of each Government. He hoped the Conference would try to bring about the golden age of universal peace. (Cheers). Mr Choate and M. Bourgeois warmly supported Sir E. Fry. M. Nellidoff applauded the English initiiative, enough the ques tion was no more ripe, than in 1899. Sterile discussions only aocentiurte tbe differences of opinion. The British resolution at best corresponds with the present state of the question and witb the interest all had. seeing it had direoted a channel where unity and power could alone constitute a guarantee of further progress. , „_. London, August 19. The Times says that the expressions of platonic sympathy are all very well, but will the Powers make a practical response to Britain's offer to build two instead of three Dreadnoughts this year if the Powers, come to an understanding.