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of arbitration embracing a court and definite； well…contrived
accessories。
The above…mentioned discrepancy between various statements of the
Russians leads me to think that what Count Munster told me some
days since may have some truth in itnamely； that
Pobedonostzeff； whom I knew well； when minister to Russia； as the
strongest man of moral； religious； and social questions in that
country； is really the author of the documents that were
originally given to the world as emanating from the Russian
Foreign Office； and that he has now added to them this definite
scheme for arbitration。 Remembering our old conversations； in
which he dwelt upon the great need of money in order to increase
the stipends of the Russian clergy； and so improve their moral as
well as religious condition； I can understand easily that he may
have greatly at heart a plan which would save a portion of the
enormous expenditure of Russia on war； and enable him to do more
for the improvement of the church。
Dined at the British legation with the minister； my old friend of
St。 Petersburg days； Sir Henry Howard； De Martens； the real head
of the Russian delegation； being of the party； and had a long
talk with the latter about Russia and Russians。 He told me that
Pobedonostzeff is now becoming old and infirm； and it appears
that there has been a sort of cleaning out of the Foreign Office
and the Ministry of the Interiora procedure which was certainly
needed in my time。
Later in the evening we went to a reception by Baron van
Hardenbroek； the grand chamberlain； where I met various
interesting persons； especially M。 Descamps； the eminent Belgian
delegate； who； in the fervor of his speech yesterday morning；
upset his inkstand and lavished its contents on his neighbors。 He
is a devotee of arbitration； and is preparing a summary for the
committee intrusted with that subject。 There seemed to be； in
discussing the matter with various delegates at this reception； a
general feeling of encouragement。
During the day Mr。 Loeher； a Berlin sculptor； called； and carried
me off to see his plan of a great statue of 〃Peace〃 which he
hopes to induce the Emperor Nicholas to erect in Paris。 It seems
to me well conceived； all except the main figure； which I could
not induce myself to like。 In the anxiety of the sculptor to
avoid any more female figures； and to embody virile aspirations
for peace； he has placed this main figure at the summit of the
monument in something like a long pea…jacket； with an
insufficient mantle at the back； and a crown upon its head。
The number of people with plans； schemes； notions； nostrums；
whimsies of all sorts； who press upon us and try to take our
time； is enormous； and when to this is added the pest of
interviewers and photographers； life becomes serious indeed。
May 26。
At two the committee on arbitration met； and； as it is the
largest of all； its session was held in the main hall under the
dome。 The Russian plan was presented； and was found to embrace
three distinct features：
First； elements of a plan of mediation； secondly； a plan for
international arbitration； thirdly； a plan for the international
examination of questions arising between powers； such examination
being conducted by persons chosen by each of the contestants。
This last is a new feature and is known as a commission
internationale d'enquete。
The project for a plan of arbitration submits a number of minor
matters to compulsory arbitration； but the main mass of
differences to voluntary arbitration。
But there was no definite proposal for a tribunal； and there was
an evident feeling of disappointment； which was presently voiced
by Sir Julian Pauncefote； who； in the sort of plain； dogged way
of a man who does not purpose to lose what he came for； presented
a resolution looking definitely to the establishment； here and
now； of an international tribunal of arbitration。 After some
discussion； the whole was referred to a subcommittee； to put this
and any other proposals submitted into shape for discussion by
the main committee。 In the course of the morning the American
delegation received an answer to its telegram to the State
Department； which was all that could be desired； since it left us
virtually free to take the course which circumstances might
authorize； in view of the main object to be attained。 But it came
too late to enable us to elaborate a plan for the meeting above
referred to； and I obtained permission from the president； M。
Leon Bourgeois； to defer the presentation of our scheme until
about the middle of next week。
Just before the session of the main committee； at which the
Russian plan was received； I had a long and very interesting talk
with Mr。 van Karnebeek； one of the leading statesmen of the
Netherlands； a former minister of foreign affairs； and the
present chief of the Dutch delegation in the conference。 He seems
clear…headed and farsighted； and his belief is that the
conference will really do something of value for arbitration。 He
says that men who arrived here apparently indifferent have now
become interested； and that amour propre； if nothing else； will
lead them to elaborate something likely to be useful。 He went at
considerable length into the value of an international tribunal；
even if it does nothing more than keep nations mindful of the
fact that there is some way； other than war； of settling
disputes。
A delegate also informed me that in talking with M。 de Staal the
latter declared that in his opinion the present conference is
only the first of a series； and that it is quite likely that
another will be held next winter or next spring。
In the evening I made the acquaintance of Mr。 Marshall； a
newspaper correspondent； who is here preparing some magazine
articles on The Hague and the conference。 He is a very
interesting man on various accounts； and especially at present；
since he has but just returned from the Cuban campaign； where he
was fearfully wounded； receiving two shots which carried away
parts of the vertebral column； a bullet being left in his body。
He seems very cheerful； though obliged to get about on crutches。
May 27。
In the morning； calls from various people urging all kinds of
schemes for arbitration and various other good things for the
human race； including considerable advantages； in many cases； for
themselves。
Best of all； by far； was John Bellows of Gloucester； our old
Quaker friend at St。 Petersburg； whom I was exceedingly glad to
take by the hand： he； at least； is a thoroughly good
mansincere； honest； earnest； and blessed with good sense。
The number of documents； printed and written； coming in upon us
is still enormous。 Many are virtually sermons displaying the
evils of war； the blessings of peace； and the necessity of
falling back upon the Bible。 Considering the fact that our
earlier sacred books indicate approval by the Almighty of some of
the most bloodthirsty peoples and most cruel wars ever known；
such a recommendation seems lacking in 〃actuality。〃
This morning we had another visit from Sir Julian Pauncefote；
president of the British delegation； and discussed with him an
amalgamation of the Russian； British； and American proposals for
an arbitration tribunal。 He finds himself； as we all do；
agreeably surprised by the Russian document； which；