Echoes from the Peace Conference.
By Editor
One of the great war correspondents of the time, Mr. Edward Marshall, represents the San Francisco Call at The Hague Peace Conference. The conference seems to be more a shrewd game of diplomacy than a real desire for disarmament or peace. For instance, Mr. Marshall tells us that an American delegate nipped in the bud a scheme of the other powers to take the control of the Nicaraguan Canal from America. Here is Germany's attitude:— "The appointment by Emperor William of Stengel, an avowed and recorded advocate of war, was much more seriously regarded by the delegates of other countries than they permitted the journalists to know. . . . The plans of no delegation were more frequently interfered with by Germany than those of the able gentlemen who represented the United States." And thus much for Russia's sincerity:— "Russia's attitude was, of course, intensely interesting. It is not likely that any of the delegates believed entirely in the absolute sincerity of the great White Czar. It may be readily believed that his letter to the nations inviting the Peace Conference was induced much more by a desire to hide Russian grabs in China and outrageous Russian oppression in Finland; to counteract the effect of Tolstoi's campaign in behalf of the Russian Quakers and against compulsory military service, and to generally hoodwink the world's diplomats and politicians, than to bring about the disbandment of armies and the cessation of war." And this is how the Peace Conference of the world affected the public of The Hague:— "The coming of the delegates from all parts of the earth on their tremendous mission attracted no attention whatever from the lay citizens of this picturesque, military-ridden, gin-besotten, beautiful old town. During all my stay here I have seen practically no manifestation of any interest in the presence of the delegates." We wish with all our hearts it could be peace, world-wide; but why deceive ourselves? This unregenerate world is a world of war.