CHAPTERXLVIII
ASPRESIDENTOFTHEAMERICANDELEGATIONATTHEPEACECONFERENCE
OFTHEHAGUE:IV——1899
June16。ThismorningCountMunstercalledandseemedmuchexcitedbythefactthathehadreceivedadespatchfromBerlininwhichtheGermanGovernment——which，ofcourse，meanstheEmperor——hadstronglyandfinallydeclaredagainsteverythinglikeanarbitrationtribunal。Hewasclearlydisconcertedbythistooliteralacceptanceofhisownearlierviews，andsaidthathehadsenttoM。deStaalinsistingthatthemeetingofthesubcommitteeonarbitration，whichhadbeenappointedforthisday（Friday），shouldbeadjournedonsomepretextuntilnextMonday;"for，"saidhe，"ifthesessiontakesplaceto—day，ZornmustmakethedeclarationinbehalfofGermanywhichthesenewinstructionsorderhimtomake，andthatwouldbeamisfortune。"
Iwasverygladtoseethisevidenceofchangeofheartinthecount，andimmediatelyjoinedhiminsecuringtheadjournmenthedesired。Themeetingofthesubcommitteehasthereforebeendeferred，thereasonassigned，asIunderstand，beingthatBarond’Estournellesistoomuchoccupiedtobepresentatthetimefirstnamed。LaterCountMunstertoldmethathehaddecidedtosendProfessorZorntoBerlinatonceinordertolaythewholematterbeforetheForeignOfficeandinducetheauthoritiestomodifytheinstructions。Iapprovedthiscoursestrongly，whereuponhesuggestedthatIshoulddosomethingtothesamepurpose，andthisfinallyendedintheagreementthatHollsshouldgowithZorn。
InviewofthefactthatVonBulowhadagreedthattheGermandelegatesshouldstandsidebysidewithusintheconference，I
immediatelypreparedaletterofintroductionandapersonallettertoBulowforHollstotake，andhestartedaboutfiveintheafternoon。Thislatterisasfollows:
（Copy。）（Personal。）
June16，1899
DEARBARONVONBULOW:
Itrustthat，inviewofthekindlyrelationswhichexistbetweenus，succeedingastheydosimilarrelationsbeguntwentyyearsagowithyourhonoredfather，youwillallowmetowriteyouinformally，butfullyandfrankly，regardingtheinterestsofbothourgovernmentsinthepeaceconference。Therelationsbetweenyourdelegatesandourshave，fromthefirst，beenofthekindest;yourassurancesonthispointhavebeenthoroughlycarriedout。Butweseemnowtobeat"thepartingoftheways，"
andonthegreatestquestionsubmittedtous，——thegreatest，asI
believe，thatanyconferenceoranycongresshastakenupinourtime，——namely，theprovisionforatribunalofarbitration。
ItisgenerallysaidherethatGermanyisopposedtothewholething，thatsheisutterlyhostiletoanythinglikearbitration，andthatshewilldoallinherpower，eitheraloneorthroughherallies，tothwarteveryfeasibleplanofprovidingforatribunalwhichshallgivesomehopetotheworldofsettlingsomeofthemanydifficultiesbetweennationsotherwisethanbybloodshed。
Norationalmanhereexpectsallwarstobeendedbyanythingdonehere;nooneproposestosubmittoanysuchtribunalquestionsinvolvingthehonorofanynationortheinviolabilityofitsterritory，oranyofthosethingswhichnationsfeelinstinctivelymustbereservedfortheirowndecision。Nordoesanythinkingmanhereproposeobligatoryarbitrationinanycase，save，possibly，insundrypettymatterswheresucharbitrationwouldbeahelptotheordinaryadministrationofallgovernments;and，evenastothese，theycanbeleftoutoftheschemeifyourgovernmentseriouslydesiresit。
Thegreatthingisthattherebeaprovisionmadeoreasilycallingtogetheracourtofarbitrationwhichshallbeseenofallnations，indicateasinceredesiretopromotepeace，and，insomemeasure，relievethevariouspeoplesofthefearwhichsoheavilyoppressesthemall——thedreadofanoutburstofwaratanymoment。
InotethatithasbeenbelievedbymanythatthemotivesofRussiainproposingthisconferencewerenonetoogood，——indeed，thattheywerepossiblyperfidious;but，evenifthisbegranted，howdoesthisaffecttheconductofGermany？ShoulditnotratherleadGermanytogoforwardboldlyandthoughtfully，toacceptthechampionshipoftheideaofarbitration，andtotaketheleadinthewholebusinesshere？
Germany，ifshewilldothis，willcertainlystandbeforethewholeworldastheleadingpowerofEurope;forshecanthensaytothewholeworldthatshehastakentheproposalofRussiaauserieux;hassupportedathoroughlygoodplanofarbitration;hasdonewhatRussiaandFrancehavenotbeenwillingtodo，——favoredthepresentationtotheconferenceofaplanprovidingfortheimmunityofprivatepropertyfromseizureonthehighseasduringwar，——andthatwhile，asregardstheproceedingsoftheconference，Russiahaswishedsecrecy，Germanyhassteadily，fromthefirst，promotedfranknessandopenness。
Withthesethreepointsinyourfavor，youcanstandbeforethewholeworldasthegreatContinentalpowerwhichhasstoodupforpeaceasneitherRussianorFrancehasbeenabletodo。Ontheotherhand，ifyoudonotdothis，ifyouputastumbling—blockinthewayofarbitration，whatresults？Theotherpowerswillgoonandcreateasgoodatribunalaspossible，andwhateverfailuremaycomewillbeimputedtoGermanyandtoitsEmperor。
Inanycase，whetherfailureorsuccessmaycome，theEmperorofRussiawillbehailedinallpartsoftheworldasadelivererand，virtually，asasaint，whiletherewillbeawide—spreadoutburstofhatredagainsttheGermanEmperor。
Andthiswillcomenotalonefromtheanti—socialforceswhicharehopingthattheconferencemayfail，inorderthattherebytheymayhaveanewweaponintheirhands，butitwillalsocomefromthemiddleandsubstantialclassesofothernations。
ItissuretomaketherelationsbetweenGermanyandtheUnitedStates，whichhavebeenoflateimprovinginfinitelymorebitterthantheyhaveeverbeforebeenanditisnolesssuretoprovokethemostbitterhatredoftheGermanmonarchyinnearlyallothernations。
Shouldhisadviserspermitsonobleandsogiftedasovereigntoincurthispoliticalstormofobloquy，thisconvergenceofhatreduponhim？Shouldarulerofsuchnobleambitionsandsuchadmirablepowersbeexposedtothis？Ifullybelievethatheshouldnot，andthathisadvisersshouldbeghimnottoplacehimselfbeforetheworldastheantagonistofaplantowhichmillionsuponmillionsinallpartsoftheworldaredevoted。
FromtheUnitedStatescomeevidencesofafeelingwide—spreadanddeeponthissubjectbeyondanythingIhaveeverknown。ThisverymorningIreceivedaprayersetforthbythemostconservativeofallProtestantreligiousbodies——namely，theAmericanbranchoftheAnglicanChurch——tobesaidinallchurches，beggingtheAlmightytofavortheworkofthepeaceconference;andthisiswhatisgoingoninvariousotherAmericanchurches，andinvastnumbersofhouseholds。SomethingofthesamesortistrueinGreatBritainand，perhapsinmanypartsoftheContinent。
Grantedthatexpectationsareoverwrought，stillthisfactindicatesthathereisafeelingwhichcannotbedisregarded。
Moreover，tomycertainknowledge，withinamonth，aleadingsocialistinFrancehasboastedtooneofthemembersofthisconferencethatitwouldendinfailure;thatthemonarchsandgovernmentsofEuropedonotwishtodiminishbloodshed;thattheywouldrefusetoyieldtothedesireofthepeoplesforpeace，andthatbytheresentmentthusarousedanewpathtovictorywouldbeopentosocialism。
Grant，too，thatthisisoverstated，stillsuchadeclarationissignificant。
Iknowithasbeensaidthatarbitrationisderogatorytosovereignty。IreallyfailtoseehowthiscanbesaidinGermany。GermanyhasalreadysubmittedagreatpoliticalquestionbetweenherselfandSpaintoarbitration，andtheEmperorWilliamIwashimselfthearbiterbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritaininthematterofournorthwesternboundary。
BearinmindagainthatitisonlyVOLUNTARYarbitrationthatisproposed，andthatitwillalwaysrestwiththeGermanEmperortodecidewhatquestionshewillsubmittothetribunalandwhathewillnot。
IthasalsobeensaidthatarbitrationproceedingswouldgivetheenemiesofGermanytimetoputthemselvesinreadinessforwar;
butifthisbefearedinanyemergency，theEmperorandhisgovernmentarealwaysfreetomobilizetheGermanarmyatonce。
Asyouareaware，whatisseriouslyproposedherenow，inthewayofarbitration，isnotatribunalconstantlyinsession，butasystemunderwhicheachofthesignatorypowersshallbefreetochoose，foralimitedtime，fromaninternationalcourt，saytwoormorejudgeswhocangotoTheHagueiftheirservicesarerequired，buttobepaidonlywhileactuallyinsessionhere;
suchpaymenttobemadebythelitigatingparties。
Astothemachinery，theplanisthatthereshallbeadignifiedbodycomposedofthediplomaticrepresentativesofthevarioussignatorypowers，tositatTheHague，presidedoverbytheNetherlandsministerofforeignaffairs，andtoselectandtocontrolsuchsecretariesandofficersasmaybenecessaryfortheordinaryconductofaffairs。
Suchcouncilwouldreceivenoticefrompowershavingdifferenceswitheachotherwhicharewillingtosubmitthequestionsbetweenthemtoacourt，andwouldthengivenoticetothejudgesselectedbytheparties。Thewholeofthepresentplan，exceptsomesubordinatefeaturesoflittleaccount，whichcaneasilybestrickenout，isvoluntary。Thereisnothingwhateverobligatoryaboutit。Everysignatorypowerisfreetoresorttosuchatribunalornot，asitmaythinkbest。Surelyaconcessionlikethismaywellbemadetothedeepandwidesentimentthroughouttheworldinfavorofsomepossiblemeansofsettlingcontroversiesbetweennationsotherthanbybloodshed。
Pardonmeforearnestlypressinguponyouthesefactsandconsiderations。Ibegthatyouwillnotconsidermeasgoingbeyondmyprovince。Ipresentthemtoyouasmantoman，notonlyintheinterestofgoodrelationsbetweenGermanyandtheUnitedStates，butofinterestscommontoallthegreatnationsoftheearth，——oftheircommoninterestingivingsomethinglikesatisfactiontoadesiresoearnestandwide—spreadasthatwhichhasbeenshowninallpartsoftheworldforarbitration。
Iremain，dearBaronvonBulow，Mostrespectfullyandsincerelyyours，（Sgd。）ANDREWD。WHITE。
P。S。Thinkhoweasily，ifsomesuchtribunalexisted，yourgovernmentandminecouldrefertoitthewholemassofminorquestionswhichourrespectiveparliamentarybodieshavegotcontrolof，andentangledinallsortsofpettyprejudicesanddemagogicalutterances;forinstance，Samoa，thetonnagedues，thesugar—bountyquestion，themost—favored—nationclause，etc。，etc。，whichkeepthetwocountriesconstantlyatloggerheads。Doyounotseethatsubmissionofsuchquestionstosuchatribunalasisnowproposed，sofarfrombeingderogatorytosovereignty，reallyrelievesthesovereignandtheForeignOfficeofthemostvexatiousfettersandlimitationsofparliamentarianism。Itisnotatallunlikelythatsuchacourtwoulddecideinyourfavor;
andifso，everythoughtfulAmericanwouldsay，"Wellandgood;
itappearsthat，inspiteofallthespeechesinCongress，wewerewrong。"Andthematterwouldthenbeendedwiththegood—willofallparties。
（Sgd。）A。D。W。
Itisindeedacrisisinthehistoryoftheconference，andperhapsinthehistoryofGermany。IcanonlyhopethatBulowwillgivecarefulattentiontotheconsiderationswhichMunsterandmyselfpressuponhim。
LaterinthedaySirJulianPauncefotecalled，evidentlymuchvexedthatthesittingofthesubcommitteehadbeendeferred，andevenmorevexedsincehehadlearnedfromDeStaaltherealreason。Hedeclaredthathewasopposedtostringingouttheconferencemuchlonger;thatthesubcommitteecouldgetalongperfectlywellwithoutDr。Zorn;thatifGermanydidnotwishtocomein，shecouldkeepout;etc。，etc。HeseemedtoforgetthatGermany’sgoingoutmeansthedepartureofAustriaandItaly，tosaynothingofoneortwominorpowers，andthereforethebringingtonaughtoftheconference。IdidnotthinkitbesttosayanythingaboutMolls’sdeparture，butsoothedhimasmuchasIcouldbydwellingonthesuccessofhisproposalthatthepermanentcouncilhereshallbecomposedoftheresidentdiplomaticrepresentatives。
Theothermembersofourcommission，andespeciallyPresidentLow，wereatfirstverymuchopposedtoDr。Holls’sgoing，onthegroundthatitmightbeconsideredaninterferenceinamatterpertainingtoGermany;butIpersistedinsendinghim，agreeingtotakealltheresponsibility，anddeclaringthatheshouldgosimplyasamessengerfromme，astheAmericanambassadoratBerlin，totheimperialministerofforeignaffairs。
June17。
Themorningwasgivenlargelytocompletingmydraftofourmemorialtotheconferenceregardingtheimmunityofprivatepropertyintimeofwarfromseizureonthehighseas。
IntheafternoondrovetoScheveningentomakesundryofficialvisits，andintheeveningtothegreatfestivalgivenbytheNetherlandsGovernmenttotheconference。
ItsfirstfeaturewasaseriesoftableauxrepresentingsomeofthemostfamouspicturesintheDutchgalleriesthemostsuccessfulofallbeingRembrandt’s"NightWatch。"JanSteen’s"WeddingParty"wasalsoverybeautiful。Thencamepeasantdancesgiven，inthemidstofthegreathall，bypersonsinthecostumesofallthedifferentprovinces。Thesewerecharacteristicandinteresting，someofthembeingwonderfullyquaint。
TheviolinistofthelateKing，JohannesWolff，playedsomesolosinamasterlyway。
Themusicbythegreatmilitaryband，especiallythehymnofWilliamofNassauandtheDutchandRussiannationalanthems，wassplendidlyrendered，andtheoldDutchprovincialmusicplayedinconnectionwiththedancesandtableauxwasalsonoteworthy。
Itwasanexceedinglybrilliantassemblage，andthewholefestivalfromfirsttolastadecidedsuccess。
June18，Sunday。
WenttoLeydentoattendserviceatSt。Peter’s。Boththechurchanditsmonumentsareinteresting。VisitedalsothechurchofSt。
Pancras，aremarkablespecimenofGothicarchitecture，andlookeduponthetombofVanderWerf，thebraveburgomasterwhodefendedthetownagainsttheSpaniardsduringthesiege。
AttheuniversityIwasmuchinterestedinthepublichallwheredegreesareconferred，andaboveallinthemanyportraitsofdistinguishedprofessors。Lingerednextinthebotanicalgardensbackoftheuniversity，whichareverybeautiful。
ThentotheMuseumofAntiquities，whichisremarkablyrichinEgyptianandothermonuments。Romanartisalsoveryfullyrepresented。
Thencehome，and，onarriving，found，ofallmenintheworld，ThomasB。Reed，SpeakerofourHouseofRepresentatives。Mr。
Newel，ourminister，tookusbothforadrivetoScheveningen，andMr。Reed’sconversationwasexceedinglyinteresting;heiswellreadinhistoryand，apparently，ineveryfieldofEnglishliterature。Thereisabigness，aheartiness，ashrewdness，andagenuinenessabouthimwhichgreatlyattractme。
June19。
CalledonM。deStaaltoshowhimHolls’stelegramfromBerlin，whichisencouraging。DeStaalthinksthatwemayhavetogiveupthetenthsectionofthearbitrationplan，whichincludesobligatoryarbitrationinsundryminormatters;butwhileIshallbeverysorrytoseethisdone，weoughttomakethesacrificeifitwillholdGermany，Italy，andAustriatous。
AlittlelaterreceivedaheartytelegramfromtheSecretaryofStateauthorizingourorderingthewreathofsilverandgoldandplacingitonthetombofGrotius。TelegraphedandwroteMajorAllenatBerlinfulldirectionsonthesubject。Iamdeterminedthatthetributeshallbeworthyofourcountry，ofitsobject，andoftheoccasion。
IntheafternoontookSpeakerReed，withhiswifeanddaughter，throughthe"HouseintheWood，"afterwardthroughthegrounds，whicharemorebeautifulthanever，andthentoDelft，wherewevisitedthetombsofWilliamtheSilentandGrotius，andfinallythehouseinwhichWilliamwasassassinated。Itwasevenmoreinterestingtomethanduringeitherofmyformervisits，andwasevidentlyquiteasinterestingtoMr。Reed。
AtsixattendedalongmeetingoftheAmericandelegation，whichelaboratedthefinaldraftofourcommunicationtoM。deStaalontheimmunityofprivatepropertyonthehighseas。Variouspassageswerestrickenout，someofthem——and，indeed，oneofthebest——indeferencetotheideasofCaptainMahan，who，thoughheiswilling，underinstructionsfromthegovernment，tojoininpresentingthememorial，doesnotwishtosignanythingwhichcanpossiblyberegardedasindicatingapersonalbeliefintheestablishmentofsuchimmunity。Hisisthenaturalviewofasailor;buttheargumentwithwhichhesupportsitdoesnotatallconvinceme。Itisthatduringwarweshoulddoeverythingpossibletoweakenandworrytheadversary，inorderthathemaybethesoonerreadyforpeace;butthisargumentprovestoomuch，sinceitwouldobligeus，iflogicallycarriedout，togobacktothemaraudingandatrocitiesoftheThirtyYears’War。
June20。
Wenttothesessionofoneofthecommitteesatthe"HouseintheWood，"andshowedMr。vanKarnebeekourprivate—propertymemorial，whichheread，andonwhichheheartilycomplimentedus。
IthenmadeknowntohimourproposaltolayawreathonthetombofGrotius，andwiththisheseemedexceedinglypleased，sayingthattheministerofforeignaffairs，M。deBeaufort，wouldbeespeciallydelighted，sinceheisdevotedtothememoryofGrotius，anddeliveredthehistoricaladdresswhenthestatueinfrontofthegreatchurchatDelftwasunveiledAlittlelatersubmittedthememorial;aspreviouslyagreedupon，toCountMunster，whoalsoapprovedit。
HollstelegraphsmefromBerlinthathehasbeenadmirablyreceivedbythechancellor，PrinceHohenlohe，andbyBaronvonBulow，andthatheisleavingforHamburgtoseetheEmperor。
AtfourP。M。toameetingofthefullconferencetoreceivereportonimprovementsandextensionoftheRedCrossrules，etc。
Thiswasadoptedinahappy—go—luckyunparliamentaryway，fortheeminentdiplomatistwhopresidesovertheconferencestillbetraysaRussianlackofacquaintancewithparliamentaryproceedings。Sobeginsthefirstfullmovementoftheconferenceintherightdirection;anditisagoodbeginning。
WalkedhomethroughthebeautifulavenuesoftheparkwithMr。
vanKarnebeekandBarond’Estournelles，whoisalsoacharmingman。Hehasbeenaministerplenipotentiary，butisnowamemberoftheFrenchChamberofDeputiesandoftheconference。
June21。
EarlyinthemorningreceivedareportfromHolls，whoarrivedfromHamburglatelastnight。HistalkswithBulowandPrinceHohenlohehadbeenmostencouraging。BulowhassenttotheEmperormylongprivatelettertohimself，earnestlyurgingtheacceptancebyGermanyofourplanofarbitration。PrinceHohenloheseemstohaveenteredmostcordiallyintoourideas，givingHollsacardwhichwouldadmithimtotheEmperor，andtelegraphingarequestthathisMajestyseehim。ButtheEmperorwasstilluponhisyacht，atsea，andHollscouldstaynolonger。
BulowistryingtomakeanappointmentforhimtomeettheEmperoratthecloseoftheweek。
EarlyintheafternoonwentwithMinisterNewelandMr。LowtocallonM。deBeaufortregardingplansfortheGrotiuscelebration，onJuly4，atDelft。Itwasingeneraldecidedthatweshouldhavetheceremonyinthegreatchurchateleveno’clock，withsundryspeeches，andthatathalf—pasttwelvetheAmericandelegationshouldgivealuncheontoalltheinvitedguestsinthetownhallopposite。
Hollstellsmethatlastnight，atthedinnerofthepresidentoftheAustriandelegation，hemetMunster，whosaidtohim，"IcangetalongwithHohenlohe，andalsowithBulow，butnotwiththosed——dlawyersintheForeignOffice"（"MitHohenlohekanntchauskommen，mitBulowauch，abermitdiesenverdammtenJuristenimAuswartigenAmt，nicht"）。
June22。
Upatfouro’clockandattenattendedasessionofthefirstsectionatthe"HouseintheWood。"Veryinterestingwerethediscussionsregardingbulletsandasphyxiatingbombs。Astotheformer，SirJohnArdaghoftheBritishdelegationrepelledearnestlythechargesmaderegardingtheBritishbulletsusedinIndia，andofferedtosubstitutefortheoriginalproposalonewhichcertainlywouldbemuchmoreeffectiveinpreventingunnecessarysufferinganddeath;buttheRussiansseemedgladtoscoreapointagainstGreatBritain，andSirJohn’sproposalwasvoteddown，itsonlysupportbeingderivedfromourowndelegation。CaptainCrozier，ourmilitarydelegate，tookanactivepartinsupportingSirJohnArdagh，butthemajorityagainstuswasoverwhelming。
Astoasphyxiatingbombs，CaptainMahanspokeatlengthagainsttheprovisiontoforbidthem:hisgroundbeingthatnottheslightestthinghadyetbeendonelookingtosuchaninvention;
that，eveniftherehadbeen，theirusewouldnotbesobadastheuseoftorpedoesagainstshipsofwar;thatasphyxiatingmenbymeansofdeleteriousgaseswasnoworsethanasphyxiatingthemwithwater;indeed，thattheformerwasthelessdangerousofthetwo，sincethegasesusedmightsimplyincapacitatemenforashorttime，whiletheblowingupofashipofwarmeansdeathtoallornearlyallofthoseuponit。
Tothisitwasanswered——and，asitseemedtome，withforce——thatasphyxiatingbombsmightbeusedagainsttownsforthedestructionofvastnumbersofnon—combatants，includingwomenandchildren，whiletorpedoesatseaareusedonlyagainstthemilitaryandnavalforcesoftheenemy。Theoriginalproposalwascarriedbyaunanimousvote，saveours。Iamnotsatisfiedwithourattitudeonthisquestion;butwhatcanalaymandowhenhehasagainsthimtheforemostcontemporarymilitaryandnavalexperts？MyhopeisthattheUnitedStateswillyetstandwiththemajorityontherecord。
IstatedafterwardinabanteringwaytoCaptainMahan，aswellasothers，thatwhileIcouldnotsupportanyoftheargumentsthathadbeenmadeinfavorofallowingasphyxiatingbombs，therewasonewhichsomewhatappealedtome——namely，thatthedreadofthemmightdosomethingtopreventtherushoftheruralpopulationtothecities，andtheaggregationofthepoorerclassesinthem，whichisoneofthemostthreateningthingstomodernsociety，andalsoasecondargumentthatsuchbombswouldbringhometowarlikestay—at—homeoratorsandwriterstherealitiesofwar。
AtnoonreceivedtheFrenchtranslationofourmemorialtoDeStaal，butfounditveryimperfectthroughout，andinsomepartsabsolutelyinadmissible;soIworkedwithBarondeBildt，presidentoftheSwedishdelegationhere，alltheafternooninrevisingit。
AtsixtheAmericandelegationmetandchosemefortheiroratorattheapproachingGrotiusfestivalatDelft。Inaturallyfeelproudtodischargeadutyofthiskind，andcanputmyheartintoit，forGrotiushaslongbeentomealmostanobjectofidolatry，andhismainworksasubjectofearneststudy。TherearefewmeninhistorywhomIsodeeplyvenerate。Twentyyearsago，whenministeratBerlin，IsentaneminentAmericanartisttoHollandandsecuredadmirablecopiesofthetwobestportraitsofthegreatman。OneofthesenowhangsintheLawLibraryofCornellUniversity，andtheotherovermywork—tableattheBerlinEmbassy。
June23。
Atworkallthemorningonlettersandrevisingfinaldraftofmemorialonimmunityofprivatepropertyatsea，andlunchedafterwardatthe"HouseintheWood"totalkitoverwithBarondeBildt。
AtthesametablemetM。deMartens，whohasjustreturnedbynighttohisworkhere，afterpresidingadayortwoovertheVenezuelaarbitrationtribunalatParis。HetoldmethatSirRichardWebster，inopeningthecase，istospeakforsixteendays，andDeMartensaddedthathehimselfhadreadourentireVenezuelanreport，aswellastheotherdocumentsonthesubjectwhichformquitealargelibrary。Andyetwedonotincludemenlikehimin"theworking—classes"！
IntheeveningtoareceptionatthehouseofM。deBeaufort，ministerofforeignaffairs，andwascordiallygreetedbyhimandhiswife，bothpromisingthattheywouldacceptourinvitationtoDelft。ItookintothebuffetthewifeofthepresentDutchprimeminister，whoalsoexpressedgreatinterestinourproposal，anddeclaredherintentionofbeingpresent。
CountZanini，theItalianministeranddelegatehere，gavemeacomicalaccountoftwospeechesinthesessionofthefirstsectionthismorning;onebeingbyadelegatefromPersia，MirzaRizaKhan，whoisministeratSt。Petersburg。HisPersianExcellencywaxedeloquentoverthenoblequalitiesoftheEmperorofRussia，andespeciallyoverhissincerityasshownbythefactthatwhenhisExcellencytumbledfromhishorseatareview，hisMajestysenttwicetoinquireafterhishealth。Thewholeeffectupontheconferencewastoprovokeroarsoflaughter。
Butthegreatmatterofthedaywasthenews，whichhasnotyetbeenmadepublic，thatPrinceHohenlohe，theGermanchancellor，hascomeoutstronglyforthearbitrationtribunal，andhassentinstructionshereaccordingly。Thisisagreatgain，andseemstoremoveoneoftheworststumbling—blocks。Butwewillhavetopayforthisremoval，probably，bygivingupsection10ofthepresentplan，whichincludesasystemofobligatoryarbitrationinvariousminormatters，——asystemwhichwouldbeofusetotheworldinmanyways。WhiletheAmericandelegation，asstatedinmyletterwhichHollstooktoBulow，andwhichhasbeenforwardedtotheEmperor，willaidinthrowingoutofthearbitrationplaneverythingofanobligatorynature，ifGermanyinsistsuponit，I
learnthattheDutchGovernmentismuchopposedtothisconcession，andmaypubliclyprotestagainstit。
Acuriouspartofthemeansusedinbringingaboutthischangeofopinionwasthepastoralletter，elsewherereferredto，issuedbytheProtestantEpiscopalbishopofTexas，callingforprayersthroughouttheStateforthesuccessoftheconferenceinitseffortstodiminishthehorrorsofwar。Thispastoralletter，towhichIreferredinmylettertoMinistervonBulow，IintrustedtoHolls，authorizinghimtouseitashethoughtfit。HeshowedittoPrinceHohenlohe，andthelatter，althoughaRomanCatholic，wasevidentlyaffectedbyit，andespeciallybythedepthandextentofthelongingforpeacewhichitshowed。Itisperhapsaninterestingexampleofanindirect"answertoprayer，"
sinceitundoubtedlystrengthenedthefeelingsintheprincechancellor’smindwhichledhimtofavorarbitration。
June24。
SenttoM。deStaal，aspresidentoftheconference，thememorialrelatingtotheexemptionofprivateproperty，notcontrabandofwar，fromcaptureonthehighseas。DevotedthemorningtoblockingoutmyGrotiusaddress，andafterwarddrovewithHollstoDelfttolookoverthegroundforourFourth—of—Julyfestival。
Thetownhallisinterestingandcontains，amongotherportraits，onewhichisevidentlyagoodlikenessofGrotius;theonlydifficultyisthat，forourintendedluncheon，therooms，thoughbeautiful，seeminadequate。
Thencetothechurch，andafterlookingoverthatpartofitnearthemonuments，withreferencetotheGrotiusceremony，wentintotheorgan—loftwiththeorganist。ThereIlistenedfornearlyanhourwhileheandHollsplayedfinelyonthatnobleinstrument;
andasIsatandlookeddownoverthechurchanduponthedistantmonuments，theoldhistoricscenesoffourhundredyearsagocameupbeforeme，withmemoriesalmostoverpoweringofmyfirstvisitthirty—fiveyearsago。Andallthenwithmearenowdead。
June25。
AtnineinthemorningoffwithHollstoRotterdam，andonarrivingtookthetramthroughthecitytothesteamboatwharf，goingthencebysteamertoDort。Arrived，justbeforethecloseofservice，atthegreatchurchwherevarioussessionsofthesynodwereheld。Theorganwasveryfine;thechoir—stalls，wherethosewretchedtheologianswrangledthroughsomanysessionsanddidsomuchharmtotheirowncountryandothers，weretheonlyotherfinethingsinthechurch，andtheyweremuchdilapidated。
IcouldnotbutreflectbitterlyonthemonstrousevilsprovokedbythesemenwhosatsolongtherespinningamonstroustheologytobesubstitutedfortheteachingsofChristhimself。
ThencebacktoTheHagueandtoScheveningen，andtalkedoverconferencematterswithCountMunster。ReceivedtelegramsfromCountvonBulowinanswertominecongratulatinghimonhispromotion，alsoonefromBaronvonMumm，theGermanministeratLuxemburg，whogoestemporarilytoWashington。
June26。
AtworkallthemorningonmyGrotiusaddressLunchedatthe"HouseintheWood，"andwalkedtotownwithsundrydelegates。Intheafternoonwenttoa"tea"atthehouseofMadameBoreelandmetanumberofcharmingpeople;butthegreatattractionwasthehouse，whichisthatformerlyoccupiedbyJohnDeWitt——thatfromwhichhewenttoprisonandtoassassination。HerealsoMotleylived，andIwasshowntheroominwhichalargepartofhishistorywaswritten，andwhereQueenSophiausedtodiscussDutcheventsandpersonageswithhim。
Thehouseisbeautiful，spacious，andmostcharminglydecorated，manyoftheornamentsandpaintingshavingbeenplacedthereinthetimeofDeWitt。
June27。
Atallsortsofworkduringthemorning，andthen，oninvitationofPresidentLow，wentwiththeothermembersofthedelegationtoHaarlem，wherewesawthewonderfulportraitsbyFransHals，whichimpressedmemorethanever，andheardthegreatorgan。IthasbeenrebuiltsinceIwastherethirty—fiveyearsago;butitisstillthesamegreatclumsymachine，andverypoorlyplayed，——thatis，withnospirit，andwithoutanyefforttoexhibitanythingbeyondtheordinaryeffectsforwhichanylittlechurchorganwoulddoaswell。
IntheeveningdinedwithCountZanini，theItalianministeranddelegate，anddiscussedFrenchmatterswithBarond’Estournelles。
HerepresentsthebesttypeofFrenchdiplomatist，andisineverywayattractive。
AfterwardtoMr。vanKarnebeek’sreception，meetingvariouspeopleinasemi—satisfactoryway。
June29。
Inthemorning，inordertoworkoffthebeginningsofaheadache，IwenttoRotterdamandwalkeduntilnoonaboutthestreetsandplaces，recallingmyformervisit，whichcameveryvividlybeforemeasIgazeduponthestatueofErasmus，andthoughtuponhislifehere。Nomaninhistoryhashadmorepersistentinjusticedonehim。IfmylifewerelongenoughI
wouldgladlyusemygreatcollectionofErasmianainillustratinghisservicestotheworld。Tosaynothingofotherthings，themodern"HigherCriticism"hasitsrootsinhiswork。
June30。
EngagedonthefinalrevisionofmyGrotiusspeech，andonvariousdocuments。
Atnoontothe"HouseintheWood"forlunch，andafterwardtookawalkinthegroundswithBeldiman，theRoumaniandelegate，whoexplainedtomethetroubleinSwitzerlandoverthevoteontheRedCrossConference。
ItappearsthatwhereasSwitzerlandinitiatedtheRedCrossmovement，haseversincecherishedit，andhasbeenurgedbyItalyandotherpowerstotakestillfurtherpracticalmeasuresforit，theDutchdelegationrecentlyinterposed，securedforoneoftheirnumberthepresidencyofthespecialconference，andthusthrewoutmyBerlincolleague，ColonelRoth，whohadbeenpreviouslyaskedtotakethepositionandhadacceptedit，withtheresultthatthewholematterhasbeentakenoutofthehandsofSwitzerland，whereitjustlybelonged，andputunderthecareoftheNetherlands。ThishasprovokedmuchillfeelinginSwitzerland，andthereisespecialastonishmentatthefactthatwhenBeldimanmovedanamendmentundoingthisunjustarrangementitwas，bysomemisunderstandinglost，andthatthereforetherehasbeenperpetuatedwhatseemsmuchlikeaninjusticeagainstSwitzerland。IpromisedtoexertmyselftohavethematterrectifiedsofarastheAmericandelegationwasconcerned，andlaterwassuccessfulindoingso。