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urging him to use it in every way to show what a boon the failure
of arbitration would be to the anti…social forces in all parts of
Europe。
In the intervals during the day I busied myself in completing the
memorial to the conference regarding the immunity from seizure of
private property at sea。 If we cannot secure it now； we must at
least pave the way for its admission by a future international
conference。
CHAPTER XLVIII
AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN DELEGATION AT THE PEACE CONFERENCE
OF THE HAGUE： IV1899
June 16。 This morning Count Munster called and seemed much
excited by the fact that he had received a despatch from Berlin
in which the German Governmentwhich； of course； means the
Emperorhad strongly and finally declared against everything
like an arbitration tribunal。 He was clearly disconcerted by this
too literal acceptance of his own earlier views； and said that he
had sent to M。 de Staal insisting that the meeting of the
subcommittee on arbitration； which had been appointed for this
day （Friday）； should be adjourned on some pretext until next
Monday； 〃for；〃 said he； 〃if the session takes place to…day； Zorn
must make the declaration in behalf of Germany which these new
instructions order him to make； and that would be a misfortune。〃
I was very glad to see this evidence of change of heart in the
count； and immediately joined him in securing the adjournment he
desired。 The meeting of the subcommittee has therefore been
deferred； the reason assigned； as I understand； being that Baron
d'Estournelles is too much occupied to be present at the time
first named。 Later Count Munster told me that he had decided to
send Professor Zorn to Berlin at once in order to lay the whole
matter before the Foreign Office and induce the authorities to
modify the instructions。 I approved this course strongly；
whereupon he suggested that I should do something to the same
purpose； and this finally ended in the agreement that Holls
should go with Zorn。
In view of the fact that Von Bulow had agreed that the German
delegates should stand side by side with us in the conference； I
immediately prepared a letter of introduction and a personal
letter to Bulow for Holls to take； and he started about five in
the afternoon。 This latter is as follows：
（Copy。） （Personal。）
June 16； 1899
DEAR BARON VON BULOW：
I trust that； in view of the kindly relations which exist between
us； succeeding as they do similar relations begun twenty years
ago with your honored father； you will allow me to write you
informally； but fully and frankly； regarding the interests of
both our governments in the peace conference。 The relations
between your delegates and ours have； from the first； been of the
kindest； your assurances on this point have been thoroughly
carried out。 But we seem now to be at 〃the parting of the ways；〃
and on the greatest question submitted to us；the greatest； as I
believe； that any conference or any congress has taken up in our
time；namely； the provision for a tribunal of arbitration。
It is generally said here that Germany is opposed to the whole
thing； that she is utterly hostile to anything like arbitration；
and that she will do all in her power； either alone or through
her allies； to thwart every feasible plan of providing for a
tribunal which shall give some hope to the world of settling some
of the many difficulties between nations otherwise than by
bloodshed。
No rational man here expects all wars to be ended by anything
done here； no one proposes to submit to any such tribunal
questions involving the honor of any nation or the inviolability
of its territory； or any of those things which nations feel
instinctively must be reserved for their own decision。 Nor does
any thinking man here propose obligatory arbitration in any case；
save； possibly； in sundry petty matters where such arbitration
would be a help to the ordinary administration of all
governments； and； even as to these； they can be left out of the
scheme if your government seriously desires it。
The great thing is that there be a provision made or easily
calling together a court of arbitration which shall be seen of
all nations； indicate a sincere desire to promote peace； and； in
some measure； relieve the various peoples of the fear which so
heavily oppresses them allthe dread of an outburst of war at
any moment。
I note that it has been believed by many that the motives of
Russia in proposing this conference were none too good；indeed；
that they were possibly perfidious； but； even if this be granted；
how does this affect the conduct of Germany？ Should it not rather
lead Germany to go forward boldly and thoughtfully； to accept the
championship of the idea of arbitration； and to take the lead in
the whole business here？
Germany； if she will do this； will certainly stand before the
whole world as the leading power of Europe； for she can then say
to the whole world that she has taken the proposal of Russia au
serieux； has supported a thoroughly good plan of arbitration； has
done what Russia and France have not been willing to do；favored
the presentation to the conference of a plan providing for the
immunity of private property from seizure on the high seas during
war；and that while； as regards the proceedings of the
conference； Russia has wished secrecy； Germany has steadily； from
the first； promoted frankness and openness。
With these three points in your favor； you can stand before the
whole world as the great Continental power which has stood up f
or peace as neither Russia nor France has been able to do。 On the
other hand； if you do not do this； if you put a stumbling…block
in the way of arbitration； what results？ The other powers will go
on and create as good a tribunal as possible； and whatever
failure may come will be imputed to Germany and to its Emperor。
In any case； whether failure or success may come； the Emperor of
Russia will be hailed in all parts of the world as a deliverer
and； virtually； as a saint； while there will be a wide…spread
outburst of hatred against the German Emperor。
And this will come not alone from the anti…social forces which
are hoping that the conference may fail； in order that thereby
they may have a new weapon in their hands； but it will also come
from the middle and substantial classes of other nations。
It is sure to make the relations between Germany and the United
States； which have been of late improving infinitely more bitter
than they have ever before been and it is no less sure to provoke
the most bitter hatred of the German monarchy in nearly all other
nations。
Should his advisers permit so noble and so gifted a sovereign to
incur this political storm of obloquy； this convergence of hatred
upon him？ Should a ruler of such noble ambitions and such
admirable powers be exposed to this？ I fully believe that he
should not； and that his advisers should beg him not to place
himself before the world as the antagonist of a plan to which
millions upon millions in all parts of the world are devoted。
From the United States come evidences of a feeling wide…spread
and deep on this subject beyond anything I have ever known。 This
very morning I received a prayer set forth by the most