Theseventharticlemakesprovisionforanappeal，withinthreemonthsafterthenotificationofthedecision，uponpresentationofevidencethatthejudgmentcontainsasubstantialerroroffactorlaw。
Theeighthandfinalarticleprovidesthatthetreatyshallbecomeoperativewhenninesovereignstates，whereofatleastsixshallhavetakenpartintheconferenceofTheHague，shallhaveratifieditsprovisions。
Itturnsoutthatoursistheonlydelegationwhichhasanythinglikeafullandcarefullyadjustedplanforacourtofarbitration。TheEnglishdelegation，thoughevidentlyexceedinglydesirousthatasystemofarbitrationbeadopted，hascomewithoutanythingdefinitelydrawn。TheRussianshaveascheme;
but，sofarascanbelearned，thereisnoprovisioninitforapermanentcourt。
IntheeveningtherewasageneralassemblageofthemembersoftheconferenceatareceptiongivenbyJonkheervanKarnebeek，formerlyDutchministerofforeignaffairs，andnowfirstdelegatefromtheNetherlandstotheconference。Itwasverybrilliant，andImademanyinterestingacquaintances;but，probably，sincetheworldbegan，neverhassolargeabodycometogetherinaspiritofmorehopelessskepticismastoanygoodresult。Thoughnoonegivesloudutterancetothisfeeling，itisnonethelessdeep。Ofcourse，amongallthesedelegatesacquaintedwithpublicmenandmeasuresinEurope，thereisconsiderabledistrustoftheintentionsofRussia;and，naturally，theweaknessoftheRussianEmperoriswellunderstood，thoughallarereticentregardingit。TheonlyopenutterancesarethoseattributedtooneortwooftheolderEuropeandiplomatists，wholamentbeingsentonanerrandwhichtheyfearistobefruitless。Oneoftheseissaidtohavebewailedthismissionasasadendingtohispublicservices，andtohavedeclaredthatashehadledalonglifeofdevotiontohiscountryandtoitssovereign，hisfamilymightwelllookuponhiscareerashonorable;butthatnowheisprobablydoomedtocrownitwithanopenfailure。
May18。
Attwoo’clockintheafternoontheconferencehelditsopensessionatthe"HouseintheWood。"Thebuildingismostinteresting，presentingasitdoestheartandgeneralideasoftwohundredandfiftyyearsago;itisfullofhistoricalassociations，andthegrovesandgardensaboutitaredelightful。
ThewallsanddomeofthegreatcentralhallarecoveredwithimmensepaintingsinthestyleofRubens，mainlybyhispupils;
and，ofthese，oneoverthefrontentrancerepresentsPeacedescendingfromheaven，bearingvarioussymbolsand，apparently，enteringthehall。TothisM。deBeaufort，ourhonorarypresident，theNetherlandsministerofforeignaffairs，madeagracefulallusioninhisopeningspeech，expressingthehopethatPeace，havingenteredthehall，wouldgoforthbearingblessingstotheworld。Anotherrepresentation，whichcoversoneimmensewall，isaglorificationofvariousprincesofOrange:itisinfullfrontofme，asIsit，thePeacefrescobeingvisibleatmyleft，andalovelyviewofthegardens，andofthewaterbeyond，throughthewindowsatmyright。
The"HouseintheWood"wasbuiltearlyintheseventeenthcenturybyaprincessofthehouseofOrange，thegrandmotherofWilliamIIIofEngland。Thecentralhallunderthedome，abovereferredto，isnowfilledupwithseatsanddesks，coveredwithgreencloth，veryneatandpractical，andmainlyarrangedlikethoseinanEnglishcollegechapel。Goodfortunehasgivenmeoneofthetwobestseatsinthehouse;itbeingdirectlyinfrontofthesecretaries，whoarearrangedinasemicirclejustbelowthedeskofthepresident;atmyleftaretheothermembersofourdelegation，andfacingme，acrossthecentralaisle，isCountMunster，attheheadoftheGermandelegation。Thispieceofgoodluckcomesfromthefactthatweareseatedinthealphabeticalorderofourcountries，beginningwithAllemagne，continuingwithAmerique，andsoondownthealphabet。
Theotherlargeroomsonthemainfloorareexceedinglyhandsome，withsuperbJapaneseandChinesehangings，wroughtaboutthemiddleofthelastcenturytofitthespacestheyoccupy;onallsidesarethemostperfectspecimensofJapaneseandChinesebronzes，ivorycarvings，lacquer—work，andthelike:theseroomsaregivenuptothecommitteesintowhichthewholebodyisdivided。Up—stairsisadining—hallinwhichtheDutchGovernmentserves，everyworking—day，amostbounteouslunchtousall，andatthisthereismuchopportunityforinformaldiscussion。Nearthemainhallisasumptuoussaloon，hungroundwithinterestingportraits，oneofthembeinganadmirablelikenessofMotleythehistorian，whowasagreatfavoriteofthelateQueen，andfrequentlyherguestinthispalace。
Ourfirstsessionwasveryinteresting;thespeechbythehonorarypresident，M。deBeaufort，abovereferredto，wasineverywayadmirable，andthatbythepresident，M。deStaal，thoroughlygood。ThelatteristheRussianambassadortoLondon;
IhadalreadymethiminSt。Petersburg，andfoundhiminterestingandagreeable。Heis，nodoubt，oneoftheforemostdiplomatistsofthisepoch;butheisevidentlywithoutmuchknowledgeofparliamentaryprocedure。CongratulatorytelegramswerereceivedfromtheEmperorofRussiaandtheQueenoftheNetherlandsanddulyanswered。
May19。
Ateleveninthemorning，inoneofthelargeroomsofthehotel，thepresidentsofdelegationsmettodecideonaplanoforganizationandwork;and，sittingamongthem，Ifirstbegantohavesomehopesofagoodresult。Still，attheoutset，theprospectwasmuchbeclouded。ThoughaveryconsiderablenumberoftheforemoststatesmeninEuropewerepresent，ourdeliberationsappeared，foratime，ahopelesschaos:theunfamiliarityofourpresident，BarondeStaal，withparliamentaryusagesseemedlikelytobecomeembarrassing;butsundrystatesmen，moreexperiencedinsuchmatters，begandrawingtogether，andweresoonelaboratingaschemetobepresentedtotheentireconference。ItdividedallthesubjectsnamedintheMouravieffcircularamongthreegreatcommittees，themostimportantbeingthaton"Arbitration。"Thechoiceofrepresentativesonthesefromourdelegationwasmade，andanex—officiomembershipofallthreefallstome。
InthecourseofthedayImetandtalkedwithvariousinterestingmen，amongthemCountNigra，formerlyCavour’sprivatesecretaryandambassadoratthecourtofNapoleonIII，whereheaccomplishedsomuchforItalianunity;SirJulianPauncefote，theBritishambassadoratWashington;andM。
Bernaert，presidentoftheBelgianChamber。Intheevening，atareceptiongivenbytheministerofforeignaffairs，M。deBeaufort，Imadefurtheracquaintancesandhadinstructiveconversations。
Inadditiontothestrictdutiesoftheconference，thereis，ofcourse，amassofsocialbusiness，withnoendofvisits，calls，andspecialmeetings，tosaynothingofsocialfunctions，onalargescale，atthehousesofsundryministersandofficials;butthese，ofcourse，havetheirpracticaluses。
TheDutchGovernmentisshowingitselfprincelyinvariousways，makingeveryprovisionforourcomfortandenjoyment。
Ingeneral，Iamconsiderablyencouraged。Theskepticalfeelingwithwhichwecametogetherseemsnowpassingaway;therecentspeechoftheEmperorWilliamatWiesbadenhasarousednewhopesofafairlygoodchanceforarbitration，anditlooksasifthepromisemademejustbeforeIleftBerlinbyBaronvonBulow，thattheGermandelegationshouldcooperatethoroughlywithourown，istoberedeemed。Thatdelegationassuresusthatitisinstructedtostandbyusasfaraspossibleonalltheprincipalquestions。Itformsareallyfinebody，itsheadbeingCountMunster，whomIhavealreadyfoundveryagreeableatBerlinandParis，anditsmainauthorityinthelawofnationsbeingProfessorZorn，oftheUniversityofKonigsberg;but，curiouslyenough，asifbyawhim，thenextmanonitslistisProfessorBaronvonStengelofMunich，whohaswrittenabookAGAINST
arbitration;andnexttohimcomesColonelSchwartzhoff，saidtobeamanofremarkableabilityinmilitarymatters，butstronglyprejudicedagainsttheRussianproposals。
Astoarbitration，wecannotmakeitcompulsory，assomanyverygoodpeoplewish;itisclearthatnopowerherewouldagreetothat;buteventoprovideregularmachineryforarbitration，constantlyinthesightofallnations，andalwaysreadyforuse，wouldbeagreatgain。
Astodisarmament，itisclearthatnothingeffectivecanbedoneatpresent。TheGenevarulesforthebettercareofthewoundedonlandwillcertainlybeimprovedandextendedtowarfareonsea，andthelawsofwarwilldoubtlessbeimprovedandgivenstrongersanction。
Whetherwecangetourproposalsastoprivatepropertyonthehighseasbeforetheconferenceisuncertain;butIthinkwecan。
OurhopesarebaseduponthefactthattheyseemadmissibleunderoneheadingoftheMouravieffcircular。Thereis，ofcourse，adeterminationonthepartofleadingmemberstoexcluderigorouslyeverythingnotprovidedforintheoriginalprogramme，andthisisonlyright;for，otherwise，wemightspendyearsinfruitlessdiscussion。TheArmenians，forexample，arepressingustomakeastrongdeclarationintheirbehalf。Polandisalsoherewithproposalsevenmoreinflammatory;soaretheFinlanders;andsoaretheSouthAfricanBoers。Theirproposals，ifadmitted，wouldsimplybebombshellssuretoblowalltheleadingnationsofEuropeoutoftheconferenceandbringeverythingtonaught。
Alreadypessimistsoutsideareprophesyingthatonaccountofthesequestionswearedoomedtoutterfailure。
Thepeacepeopleofallnations，includingourown，arehereingreatforce。Ihaveacceptedaninvitationfromoneofthemtolunchwithapartyoflikemind，includingBaronessvonSuttner，whohaswrittenabrilliantbook，"DieWaffenNieder，"ofwhichthemoralisthatallnationsshallimmediatelythrowdowntheirarms。Mr。Steadisalsohere，vigorousasusual，fullofcuriousinformation，andaboundinginsuggestions。
Therewasareport，onourarriving，thattheTripleAlliancerepresentativesareinstructedtodoeverythingtobringtheconferenceintodiscredit，butthisisnowdenied。Itissaidthattheirprogrammeischanged，andthingslooklikeit。Onthewhole，thoughnooneissanguine，thereismorehope。
May21。
InthemorningwentwithDr。HollstoaWhitsundayserviceatthegreatoldchurchhere。Therewasacrowd，impressivechorals，andasermonatleastanhourlong。Atourrequest，weweregivenadmirableplacesintheorgan—loft，andsatatthesideoftheorganistashemanagedthatnobleinstrument。Itwassublime。
AftertheclosingvoluntaryHollsplayedremarkablywellTomethemoststrikingfeatureintheservicewasaveryearnestprayermadebytheclergymanfortheconference。DuringtheafternoonwealsovisitedtheoldprisonneartheVijver，wheretheDeWittsandothereminentprisonersofstatewereconfined，andinfrontofwhichtheformerweretorninpiecesbythemob。
Sadlyinterestingwasacollectionofinstrumentsoftorture，whichhadtheeffectofmakingmebettersatisfiedwithourowntimesthanIsometimesam。
Intheevening，withourminister，Mr。Newel，andtheDeanofEly，hisguest，toanexceedinglypleasant"tea"atthehouseofBaronessGravensteen，andmetanumberofinterestingpeople，amongthemakindlyoldgentlemanwhobegandiplomaticlifeasaBritishattacheatWashingtoninthedaysofWebsterandClay，andgavemeinterestingaccountsofthem。
Thequeerlettersandcrankishproposalswhichcomeineverydayareamazing。IhavejustaddedtomycollectionofdiplomaticcuriositiesaletterfromtheeditorofaDemocraticpaperinsouthernIllinois，addressedtomeasambassadoratMayence，whichheevidentlytakestobethecapitalofGermany，askingmetolookafteragreatpartyofWesternnewspapermenwhoaretogouptheRhinethissummerandmakeabriefstayintheabove—namedcapitaloftheempire。Ialsoreceiveverymanylettersofintroduction，whichofcoursemakelargedemandsuponmytime。Thenumberofepistles，also，whichcomeinfrompublicmeetingsinlargeandsmallAmericantownsisverygreat，someevidentlyrepresentingnopersonsotherthanthewriters。AsI
writetheabove，IopenmechanicallyaletterfromapeacemeetingassembledinLedyard，Connecticut，composedof"RogerineQuakers";butwhata"RogerineQuaker"isIknownot。Someoftheselettersaretouching，andsomehaveacomicside。AverygoodonecomesfromMayWrightSewall;wouldthatalltheotherswereasthoughtful！
ItgoeswithoutsayingthattheQuakersareoutinfullforce。WehavebeenansweringbycablesomeofthemostimportantcommunicationssentusfromAmerica;theothersweshalltrytoacknowledgebymail，thoughtheyaresonumerousthatIbegintodespairofthis。Ifthesegoodpeopleonlyknewhowallthisdistractsusfromtheworkwhichwehaveatheartasmuchasthey，weshouldgetconsiderablymoretimetothinkupontheproblemsbeforeus。
May22。
IntheafternooncameM。deBloch，thegreatpublicist，whohaswrittenfourenormousvolumesonwarinmoderntimes，summariesofwhich，inthenewspapers，aresaidtohaveconvertedtheyoungEmperorNicholastopeaceideas，andtohavebeentherealcauseofhiscallingtheconferencetogether。Ifoundhiminteresting，fullofideas，anddevotedmostearnestlytoatheorythatmilitarismisgraduallyimpoverishingallmodernstates，andthatthenextEuropeanwarwillpauperizemostofthem。
JustafterwardCountWelsersheimb，presidentoftheAustriandelegation，called，andwasveryanxioustoknowthelinewearetotake。Itoldhimfranklythatweareinstructedtopresentaplanofarbitration，andtourgearesolutioninfavorofexemptingprivateproperty，notcontrabandofwar，fromseizureonthehighseas;thatwearereadytogotothefulllengthinimprovingthelawsofwar，andinextendingtheGenevarulestomaritimewarfare;butthatwelookonthequestionofreducingarmamentsasrelatingwhollytoEurope，nopartofitbeingapplicabletotheUnitedStates。
Asheseemedstronglyinfavorofourcontentionregardingprivatepropertyonthehighseas，butfearfulthatRussiaandEngland，underastrictconstructionoftherules，wouldnotpermitthesubjecttobeintroduced，IpointedouttohimcertainclausesintheMouravieffcircularwhichshowedthatitwasentirelyadmissible。
May23。
InthemorningcameameetingoftheAmericandelegationonthesubjectoftelegraphingWashingtonforfurtherinstructions。Wefindthatsomeofthedetailsinourpresentinstructionsarelikelytowreckourproposals，andthereisafearamongusthat，byfollowingtoocloselytheplanlaiddownforusatWashington，wemayrunfullinthefaceoftheMonroeDoctrine。Itisindeed，aquestionwhetherourpeoplewillbewillingtohavemattersofdifferencebetweenSouthAmericanStates，orbetweentheUnitedStatesandaSouthAmericanState，orbetweenEuropeanandSouthAmericanStates，submittedtoanarbitrationinwhichamajorityofthejudgesaresubjectsofEuropeanpowers。Variousdraftsofatelegramweremade，butthewholematterwentover。
Attentheheadsofdelegationsmetandconsideredaplanoforganizingthevariouscommittees，andthelistwasread。EachofthethreegreatcommitteestowhichthesubjectsmentionedintheMouravieffcircularareassignedwasgivenapresident，vice—president，andtwohonorarypresidents。ThefirstofthesecommitteesistotakechargeofthepreliminarydiscussionofthosearticlesintheMouravieffcircularconcerningthenon—augmentationofarmiesandthelimitationintheuseofnewexplosivesandofespeciallydestructiveweapons。Thesecondcommitteehasforitssubjectthediscussionofhumanitarianreforms——namely，theadaptationofthestipulationsoftheConventionofGenevaof1864tomaritimewarfare，theneutralizationofvesselschargedwithsavingthewoundedduringmaritimecombats，andtherevisionofthedeclarationconcerningcustomsofwarelaboratedin1874bytheConferenceofBrussels，whichhasneveryetbeenratified。Thethirdcommitteehaschargeofthesubjectofarbitration，mediation，andthelike。
ThepresidentofthefirstcommitteeisM。Bernaert，aleadingstatesmanofBelgium，whohasmadeamostexcellentimpressiononmefromthefirst;andthetwohonorarypresidentsareCountMunster，GermanambassadoratParis，andmyself。
ThepresidentofthesecondcommitteeisM。deMartens，theeminentRussianauthorityoninternationallaw;andthetwohonorarypresidents，CountWelsersheimbofAustria—Hungary，andtheDukeofTetuanfromSpain。
ThethirdcommitteereceivesasitspresidentM。LeonBourgeois，whohasheldvariouseminentpositionsinFrance;thehonorarypresidentsbeingCountNigra，theItalianambassadoratVienna，andSirJulianPauncefote，theBritishambassadoratWashington。
Therewasmuchdiscussionandconsiderabledifferenceofopiniononmanypoints，butthemainbreezesprangupregardingthepublicityofourdoings。AnadmirablespeechwasmadebyBarondeBildt，whoisasonofmyformerSwedishcolleagueatBerlin，hasheldvariousimportantpositionsatWashingtonandelsewhere，haswrittenanadmirablehistoryofQueenChristinaofSweden，andisnowministerplenipotentiaryatRome。Hespokeearnestlyinfavorofconsiderablelatitudeincommunicationstothepressfromtheauthoritiesoftheconference;buttheprevailingopinion，especiallyoftheoldermen，evenofthosefromconstitutionalstates，seemedtosecondtheideaofRussia，——thatcommunicationstothepressshouldbereducedtoaminimum，comprisingmerelytheexternalaffairsoftheconference。Iampersuadedthatthisviewwillgetusintotrouble;butitcannotbehelpedatpresent。
May24。
Aswastobeexpected，therehasbegunsomereactionfromthehopesindulgedshortlyaftertheconferencecametogether。Atourarrivaltherewasgeneralskepticism;shortlyafterward，andespeciallywhentheorganizationofthearbitrationcommitteewasseentobesogood，therecameagreatgrowthofhope;nowcomestheusualfallingbackofmany。ButItrustthatthiswillnotbepermanent。Yesterdaytherewassometalkwhich，thoughquiet，wasnonethelessbitter，totheeffectthatthepurposeofRussiaincallingtheconferenceisonlytosecuretimeforstrengtheningherarmaments;thatshewasneverincreasingherforcesatagreaterrate，especiallyinthesouthwesternpartoftheempireandintheCaucasus，andneverintriguingmorevigorouslyinalldirections。ToonewhostatedthistomemyanswersimplywasthatbadfaithtothisextentonthepartofRussiaismostunlikely，ifnotimpossible;thatitwouldhanddowntheEmperorandhisadviserstotheeternalexecrationandcontemptofmankind;andthat，inanycase，ourdutyisclear:togoonanddothebestwecan;toperfectplansforapermanenttribunalofarbitration;andtotakemeasuresfordiminishingcrueltyandsufferinginwar。
MeetingCountMunster，who，afterM。deStaal，isverygenerallyconsideredthemostimportantpersonagehere，wediscussedthesubjectofarbitration。Tomygreatregret，Ifoundhimentirelyopposedtoit，or，atleast，entirelyopposedtoanywell—developedplan。Hedidnotsaythathewouldopposeamoderateplanforvoluntaryarbitration，butheinsistedthatarbitrationmustbeinjurioustoGermany;thatGermanyispreparedforwarasnoothercountryisorcanbe;thatshecanmobilizeherarmyintendays;andthatneitherFrance，Russia，noranyotherpowercandothis。Arbitration，hesaid，wouldsimplygiverivalpowerstimetoputthemselvesinreadiness，andwouldthereforebeagreatdisadvantagetoGermany。
Latercameanotherdisappointment。M。deMartens，havingreadthememorandumwhichIleftwithhimyesterdayonthesubjectofexemptingprivateproperty，notcontrabandofwar，fromseizureuponthehighseascalled，andinsistedthatitwouldbeimpossible，underanyjustconstructionoftheMouravieffprogramme，tobringthesubjectbeforethesecondcommitteeaswehadhopedtodo;thatRussiawouldfeelobligedtoopposeitsintroduction;andthatGreatBritain，France，andItaly，tosaynothingofotherpowers，woulddothesame。Thiswasrathertrying，forIhadespeciallydesiredtopressthislong—desiredimprovementininternationallaw;andIshowedhimhowpersistenttheUnitedStateshadbeenasregardsthissubjectthroughoutourwholehistory，howearnestthePresidentandhiscabinetareinpressingitnow，andhowourdelegationarebound，underourinstructions，tobringitbeforetheconference。Iinsistedthatweshouldatleasthavetheopportunitytopresentit，evenifitwereafterwarddeclaredoutoforder。Tothishedemurred，sayingthathefeareditwouldarouseunpleasantdebate。Ithensuggestedthatthepaperbepubliclysubmittedtoourwholebodyforspecialreferencetoafutureconference，andthishetookintoconsideration。Underothercircumstances，Iwouldhavemadeastruggleinthecommitteeand，indeed，intheopensessionofthefullconference;butitisclearthatwhatwearesenthereforis，aboveall，todevisesomeschemeofarbitration，andthatanythingwhichcomesinthewayofthis，byprovokingill—feelingorprolongingdiscussiononotherpoints，willdiminishourchancesofobtainingwhatthewholeworldsoearnestlydesires。
DuringthedayourAmericandelegationheldtwosessions;and，asaresult，atelegramofconsiderablelengthtotheStateDepartmentwaselaborated，askingpermissiontosubstituteanewsectioninouroriginalinstructionsregardinganarbitrationtribunal，andtobeallowedlibertytomakechangesinminorpoints，asthedevelopmentofopinionintheconferencemaydemand。ThesubstitutewhichwesuggestedreferredespeciallytotheclashbetweentheoriginalinstructionsandtheMonroeDoctrine。Iwasveryreluctanttosendthedespatch;but，onthewhole，itseemedbest，anditwasadoptedunanimously。
Intheafternoon，atfive，thepresidentsofallthedelegationswenttothepalace，byappointment，andwerepresentedtotheyoungQueenandtotheQueen—mother。Theformerisexceedinglymodest，pretty，andpleasant;andasshecameintotheroom，aboutwhichwererangedthatlineofsolemn，elderlymen，itseemedalmostpathetic。Shewasevidentlytimid，anditwas，atfirst，hardworkforher;butshegotalongwellwithCountMunster，andwhenshecametomeIsoonbroughttheconversationuponthesubjectofthe"HouseintheWood"bythankingherforthepainshergovernmenthadtakeninprovidingsobeautifulaplaceforus。Thisnewtopicseemedtopleaseher，andwehadquitealongtalkuponit;shespeakingofhervisitstothepark，forskatingandthelike，andIdwellingonthebeautyoftheworksofartandtheviewsinthepark。Thenthedelegates，goingtotheapartmentsoftheQueen—mother，wentthroughasimilarformalitywithher。Sheisverystout，butfine—looking，withakindlyfaceandmanner。Bothmotheranddaughterspoke，withperfectease，Dutch，French，GermanEnglish，andhowmanyotherlanguagesIknownot。TheyoungQueenwasverysimplydressed，likeanyotheryoungladyofseventeen，exceptthatshehadatriplerowoflargepearlsaboutherneck。Intheevening，at9。30，theentiredelegationswerereceivedatagreatpresentationandball。Themusicwasveryfine，butthemostinterestingthingtomewasthefactthat，asthepalacewasbuiltunderLouisBonaparteandHortense，themainroomswereinthemostthoroughgoingstyleEmpire，notonlyintheirdecorations，butintheirfurnitureandaccessories，——clocks，vases，candelabra，andthelike。Ihaveneverseenthatstyle，formerlysodespised，butnowsofashionable，developedasfully。
AfterthepresentationImetSirJohnFisher，oneoftheEnglishdelegates，anadmiralintheBritishnavy，andfoundhimveryintelligent。Hesaidthathewasthoroughlyforpeace，andhadeveryreasontobeso，sinceheknewsomethingofthehorrorsofwar。ItappearsthatinoneoftherecentstrugglesinChinahewentashorewithelevenhundredmenandreturnedwithonlyaboutfivehundred;but，tomyregret，IfoundhimusingthesameargumentasregardstheseathatCountMunsterhadmaderegardingtheland。HesaidthatthenavyofGreatBritainwasandwouldremaininastateofcompletepreparationforwar;thatavastdealdependedonpromptactionbythenavy;andthatthetruceaffordedbyarbitrationproceedingswouldgiveotherpowerstime，whichtheywouldotherwisenothave，toputthemselvesintocompletereadiness。HeseemeduncertainwhetheritwasbestforGreatBritain，underthesecircumstances，tosupportathoroughgoingplanofarbitration;but，onthewhole，seemedinclinedtotryittosomeextent。ClearlywhatGreatBritainwantsisapermanentsystemofarbitrationwiththeUnitedStates;butshedoesnotcaremuch，Ithink，forsuchaprovisionasregardsotherpowers。
ThereisconsiderablecuriosityamongleadingmemberstoknowwhattheUnitedStatesreallyintendstodo;andduringthedaySirJulianPauncefoteandothershavecalledtotalkoverthegeneralsubject。
TheLondon"Times"givesquitecorrectlyaconversationofmine，ofratheranoptimisticnature，astothepossibilitiesandprobabilitiesofarbitration，andtheimprovementofthecustomsofwar;butinanotherquartermattershavenotgonesowell:the"CorrieredellaSera"ofMilanpublishesacircumstantialinterviewwithme，whichhasbeencopiedextensivelyintheEuropeanpress，totheeffectthatIhavedeclaredmybeliefintheadoptionofcompulsoryarbitrationanddisarmament。Thisisagrotesquemisstatement。Ihaveneverdreamedofsayinganythingofthekind;infact，haveconstantlysaidthecontrary;and，whatismore，IhaveneverbeeninterviewedbythecorrespondentofthatorofanyotherContinentalpaper。
CHAPTERXLVI
ASPRESIDENTOFTHEAMERICANDELEGATIONATTHEPEACECONFERENCE
OFTHEHAGUE——II
May25。ThismorningaleadingdelegateofoneofthegreatEuropeanpowerscalledandgavemeaveryinterestingaccountofthesituationasheseesit。
HestatedthattheRussianrepresentatives，onarrivinghere，gaveoutthattheywerenotpreparedwithanyplanforadefinitetribunalofarbitration;butthatshortlyafterwardthereappearedsomediscrepancyonthispointbetweenthestatementsofthevariousmembersoftheirdelegation;andthattheynowproposeasystemofarbitration，mediation，andexaminationintoanycauseofdifficultybetweennations。
IntheeveningoursecretaryspokeofthemattertoM。deStaal，thepresidentoftheRussiandelegationandoftheconference，andwastoldthatthisplanwould，withinadayortwo，beprintedandlaidbeforethewholebody。
Thisisafavorablesign。Moreandmoreitlooksasifthegreatmajorityofusarebeginningtoseethenecessityofsomeschemeofarbitrationembracingacourtanddefinite，well—contrivedaccessories。
Theabove—mentioneddiscrepancybetweenvariousstatementsoftheRussiansleadsmetothinkthatwhatCountMunstertoldmesomedayssincemayhavesometruthinit——namely，thatPobedonostzeff，whomIknewwell，whenministertoRussia，asthestrongestmanofmoral，religious，andsocialquestionsinthatcountry，isreallytheauthorofthedocumentsthatwereoriginallygiventotheworldasemanatingfromtheRussianForeignOffice，andthathehasnowaddedtothemthisdefiniteschemeforarbitration。Rememberingouroldconversations，inwhichhedweltuponthegreatneedofmoneyinordertoincreasethestipendsoftheRussianclergy，andsoimprovetheirmoralaswellasreligiouscondition，IcanunderstandeasilythathemayhavegreatlyatheartaplanwhichwouldsaveaportionoftheenormousexpenditureofRussiaonwar，andenablehimtodomorefortheimprovementofthechurch。
DinedattheBritishlegationwiththeminister，myoldfriendofSt。Petersburgdays，SirHenryHoward，DeMartens，therealheadoftheRussiandelegation，beingoftheparty，andhadalongtalkwiththelatteraboutRussiaandRussians。HetoldmethatPobedonostzeffisnowbecomingoldandinfirm，anditappearsthattherehasbeenasortofcleaningoutoftheForeignOfficeandtheMinistryoftheInterior——aprocedurewhichwascertainlyneededinmytime。
LaterintheeveningwewenttoareceptionbyBaronvanHardenbroek，thegrandchamberlain，whereImetvariousinterestingpersons，especiallyM。Descamps，theeminentBelgiandelegate，who，inthefervorofhisspeechyesterdaymorning，upsethisinkstandandlavisheditscontentsonhisneighbors。Heisadevoteeofarbitration，andispreparingasummaryforthecommitteeintrustedwiththatsubject。Thereseemedtobe，indiscussingthematterwithvariousdelegatesatthisreception，ageneralfeelingofencouragement。
DuringthedayMr。Loeher，aBerlinsculptor，called，andcarriedmeofftoseehisplanofagreatstatueof"Peace"whichhehopestoinducetheEmperorNicholastoerectinParis。Itseemstomewellconceived，allexceptthemainfigure，whichIcouldnotinducemyselftolike。Intheanxietyofthesculptortoavoidanymorefemalefigures，andtoembodyvirileaspirationsforpeace，hehasplacedthismainfigureatthesummitofthemonumentinsomethinglikealongpea—jacket，withaninsufficientmantleattheback，andacrownuponitshead。
Thenumberofpeoplewithplans，schemes，notions，nostrums，whimsiesofallsorts，whopressuponusandtrytotakeourtime，isenormous;andwhentothisisaddedthepestofinterviewersandphotographers，lifebecomesseriousindeed。
May26。
Attwothecommitteeonarbitrationmet，and，asitisthelargestofall，itssessionwasheldinthemainhallunderthedome。TheRussianplanwaspresented，andwasfoundtoembracethreedistinctfeatures:
First，elementsofaplanofmediation;secondly，aplanforinternationalarbitration;thirdly，aplanfortheinternationalexaminationofquestionsarisingbetweenpowers，suchexaminationbeingconductedbypersonschosenbyeachofthecontestants。
Thislastisanewfeatureandisknownasacommissioninternationaled’enquete。
Theprojectforaplanofarbitrationsubmitsanumberofminormatterstocompulsoryarbitration，butthemainmassofdifferencestovoluntaryarbitration。
Buttherewasnodefiniteproposalforatribunal，andtherewasanevidentfeelingofdisappointment，whichwaspresentlyvoicedbySirJulianPauncefote，who，inthesortofplain，doggedwayofamanwhodoesnotpurposetolosewhathecamefor，presentedaresolutionlookingdefinitelytotheestablishment，hereandnow，ofaninternationaltribunalofarbitration。Aftersomediscussion，thewholewasreferredtoasubcommittee，toputthisandanyotherproposalssubmittedintoshapefordiscussionbythemaincommittee。InthecourseofthemorningtheAmericandelegationreceivedananswertoitstelegramtotheStateDepartment，whichwasallthatcouldbedesired，sinceitleftusvirtuallyfreetotakethecoursewhichcircumstancesmightauthorize，inviewofthemainobjecttobeattained。Butitcametoolatetoenableustoelaborateaplanforthemeetingabovereferredto，andIobtainedpermissionfromthepresident，M。
LeonBourgeois，todeferthepresentationofourschemeuntilaboutthemiddleofnextweek。
Justbeforethesessionofthemaincommittee，atwhichtheRussianplanwasreceived，IhadalongandveryinterestingtalkwithMr。vanKarnebeek，oneoftheleadingstatesmenoftheNetherlands，aformerministerofforeignaffairs，andthepresentchiefoftheDutchdelegationintheconference。Heseemsclear—headedandfarsighted，andhisbeliefisthattheconferencewillreallydosomethingofvalueforarbitration。Hesaysthatmenwhoarrivedhereapparentlyindifferenthavenowbecomeinterested，andthatamourpropre，ifnothingelse，willleadthemtoelaboratesomethinglikelytobeuseful。Hewentatconsiderablelengthintothevalueofaninternationaltribunal，evenifitdoesnothingmorethankeepnationsmindfulofthefactthatthereissomeway，otherthanwar，ofsettlingdisputes。
AdelegatealsoinformedmethatintalkingwithM。deStaalthelatterdeclaredthatinhisopinionthepresentconferenceisonlythefirstofaseries，andthatitisquitelikelythatanotherwillbeheldnextwinterornextspring。
IntheeveningImadetheacquaintanceofMr。Marshall，anewspapercorrespondent，whoisherepreparingsomemagazinearticlesonTheHagueandtheconference。Heisaveryinterestingmanonvariousaccounts，andespeciallyatpresent，sincehehasbutjustreturnedfromtheCubancampaign，wherehewasfearfullywounded，receivingtwoshotswhichcarriedawaypartsofthevertebralcolumn，abulletbeingleftinhisbody。
Heseemsverycheerful，thoughobligedtogetaboutoncrutches。
May27。
Inthemorning，callsfromvariouspeopleurgingallkindsofschemesforarbitrationandvariousothergoodthingsforthehumanrace，includingconsiderableadvantages，inmanycases，forthemselves。
Bestofall，byfar，wasJohnBellowsofGloucester，ouroldQuakerfriendatSt。Petersburg，whomIwasexceedinglygladtotakebythehand:he，atleast，isathoroughlygoodman——sincere，honest，earnest，andblessedwithgoodsense。