practicable and attainable objects of such a gathering was done, either by publicists or journalists. When the Conference opened, speculation was rife as to whether or not it could last a fortnight without ending in a quarrel, and perhaps precipitating a general war. The modest and unostentatious as well as businesslike way in which the Conference organized and immediately went to work, made the first distinctly favorable impression, and for a while there seemed to be ground for hope that continental public opinion. would at least suspend judgment. This hope was destroyed largely through the unfortunate attitude of many important members of the Conference toward the press. That secrecy, during the progress of the work of a diplomatic gathering, was indispensable was readily admitted by the journalists themselves, some of whom were the most eminent in their profession, and all of whom were men of high standing and ability. With their scepticism, however, regarding the ultimate outcome, even a slight show of an uncompromising, haughty, and even hostile attitude was sufficient to convince them of the uselessness of further attention under adverse circumstances. The fact that "disarmament" could not even be discussed was, of course, soon evident; and taking this fact as proof of the "failure" of the Conference, the press, with a very few notable exceptions, withdrew its representatives from The Hague, and contented itself thereafter with supplying its readers with the fragmentary and often inaccurate snatches of information supplied by irresponsible sources. In consequence, and also because the official records of the Conference have only lately been published, it may be said that hardly upon any recent event of importance is even the reading public less completely informed than upon the work actually accomplished at the Peace Conference and its practical value. Under these circumstances it is hardly surprising that the events which have taken place, notably in South Africa and in the Far East, since the adjournment of the Conference, should have resulted in deepening the prevalent misconceptions regarding its results and their importance. Fortunately the waves of honest disappointment and of ignorant abuse can no longer rise to a point where the work itself might be endangered. "The past at least is secure," and neither hopeful nor pessimistic prediction, but experience alone can now pass final judgment. The present writer frankly avows his conviction that the Peace Conference accomplished a great and glorious result, not only in the humanizing of warfare and the codification of the laws of war, but, above all, in the promulgation of the Magna Charta of International Law, the binding together of the civilized powers in a federation for Justice, and the establishment of a permanent International Court of Arbitration. He believes that this view will be shared by an increasing number of thoughtful observers as time progresses; and that in consequence, the story of the Conference and a description of its work, even within the necessarily restricted limits open to a member, will not be without interest. Under these circumstances he has no apology to offer for the preparation of this volume. The official records of the Conference have not yet been published in the English language, and, when so published, they will contain many details, technical or otherwise, of little general interest. In this book the aim has been to tell what took place, with sufficient fulness for the student of International Law, but without making the book too technical for the general reader, a most difficult undertaking, and one in which no author can hope for more than a qualified success. No pains have been spared to secure accuracy, but no attempt has been made in the commentaries on the treaties to do more than elucidate the text, or state the reasons for the adoption of the various. provisions. Exhaustive and thorough commentaries will no doubt soon appear from the pens of scholars both in Europe and America, and could not enter into the plan of this volume. The author has freely used the admirable reports made to the Conference by the reporters of the various Committees: Chevalier Descamps, M. Rolin, Professor Renault, Jonkheer van Karnebeek, Count Soltyk, M. Asser, and General Den Beer Poortugael, and it is a pleasure to acknowledge his obligation to these gentlemen. By the courtesy of the Honorable John Hay, Secretary of State, the author was also permitted to make unrestricted use of the files of the State Department with reference to the Conference, and the reports of the American Commission, notably those of its distinguished military and naval experts, Captain Crozier, of the army, and Captain Mahan, of the navy, have been freely drawn. upon, especially in the discussion of the work of the First and Second Committees. As this book is written primarily for American and English readers, particular attention has been paid to the action of the American and British governments, and their representatives at the Conference. It is believed, however, that nothing of importance, bearing upon the attitude and actions of the other Powers, has been omitted. The translation of the various treaties has been carefully revised by the author, from the British Blue Book, and will, it is hoped, be found to be accurate, while, on the other hand, a free rendering of speeches and debates is given. In the appendix will be found the complete text of the Final Act, the Treaties and Declarations of the Conference, as well as the Reports of the American Commission. The story of the Peace Conference would not have been complete without an account of the Hugo Grotius celebration, on July 4, at Delft. Accordingly a complete record of the proceedings, containing the admirable oration of Ambassador White, and the other addresses given on that occasion, is also included. The author acknowledges with sincere thanks the encouragement and valuable suggestions, with reference to the preparation of the present volume, received by him from Ambassador White, Lord Pauncefote, and the Honorable David Jayne Hill, Assistant Secretary of State. The same is especially true of his friends, Albert Shaw and Nicholas Murray Butler, who have also kindly assisted in reading proofs and revising the text. ALGONAK, YONKERS, NEW YORK, October, 1900. |