Chapter VI Speech of "I do not say this boastfully, but I say it that you may know what I mean when I say that the people of the United States are not only a practical people, but idealists as regards this question of the immunity of private property on the high seas. It is not a question of merely material interest for us; it is a question of right, of justice; of progress toward a better future for the entire world, and so my fellow countrymen feel it to be. "In the name, then, of the Delegation of the United States, I support the motion to refer the whole question to a future conference. And in doing so permit me, in the name of the nation which I represent, to commend the consideration of this whole subject to all those present in this Conference, and especially to the eminent lawyers, to the masters in the science of International Law, to the statesmen and diplomatists of the various countries here represented, in the hope that this question may not only be contained in the programme of the next Conference which shall be assembled, but that it shall receive thorough discussion based upon full examination of the many questions involved, and from all points of view. The solution of this great question will be an honor to all those who have participated or who shall participate in it, and a lasting benefit to all the nations of the earth." Upon motion of M. Rahusen of Holland the speech of Mr. White was spread in extenso upon the minutes. Count Nigra. Count Nigra of Italy cordially supported the prop- Chapter VI osition of the Second Committee, as reported by Speech of M. de Martens. He called attention to the fact that the Italian Government did not only proclaim its respect for private property on the high seas diplomatically, but had sanctioned the principle in its laws. He referred particularly to an article in the Treaty of Commerce between Italy and the United States, which provides, under the reserve of reciprocity, a recognition of the inviolability of such property. He desired that official notice should be taken of this declaration. The President directed the declaration to be entered upon the minutes, and announced that the question now was upon the adoption of the report of the Committee. Great Britain Lord Pauncefote of England announced that in Abstention of the absence of instructions from their Government, and France. the British delegates were obliged to abstain from voting. M. Bourgeois of France made a similar declaration on behalf of himself and his colleagues. Thereupon the report of the Committee was adopted unanimously, and, in the language of the American Commission, in their report, "the way is paved for a future careful consideration of the subject, in all its bearings, and under more propitious circumstances." No ostenta tion or display. CHAPTER VII THE CONFERENCE FROM DAY TO DAY; ADDRESSES, A HISTORY of a diplomatic gathering like the Peace Conference would be incomplete without some reference, however brief, to its daily and social life and surroundings. Beyond the decorations of the opening day, and the continued flying of flags of the various delegations at their hotels, there was little to attract the notice of the average resident or stranger at The Hague, or to inform him that anything unusual was going on. The Conference was eminently a businesslike body, without ostentation or display of any kind. On two occasions only, namely, at the reception by the Queen at the Palace in The Hague and at the Royal dinner at the palace in Amsterdam, did the members appear in full uniform. At all other times the spectacle of about one hundred strangers walking or driving about in the streets and parks, and at Scheveningen, was not of a kind to impress the imagination or to attract particular attention. The meetings, which were usually held from ten o'clock in the morning until noon, and from two until five or six o'clock in the afternoon, Chapter VII were so arranged, that in general no single member of the Conference should be required to attend more than four or five meetings during the week, but this rule was by no means absolute, and especially the expert members of the First and Second Committees were kept extremely busy from day to day during the term of their deliberations. ity of the Government. The Netherlands Government extended a hospital- The hospitality which could not have been more complete, more Netherlands thoughtful, or more generous. One of its pleasantest features was certainly the daily luncheon at the House in the Wood, sumptuously served, and affording an opportunity of daily intimate and unrestrained personal intercourse and acquaintance, the value of which can hardly be overestimated. The grouping of the various delegates at the luncheon tables changed from day to day, with the result that rarely if ever has a gathering of this size and character been attended with such complete personal acquaintance among all the members, even those whose duties and tastes were most diverse. tion and On the evening of May 24, Their Majesties the Royal recepQueen of the Netherlands and the Queen Mother dinner. gave a grand soirée in honor of the Conference at the Royal Palace at The Hague. Besides the members of the Conference, the Diplomatic Corps and the entire court society of The Hague had been invited, and the scene was one of great brilliancy. Before the general reception the members of the Conference were individually presented to Their Majes Chapter VII ties, who spoke to each of them most gracious words of welcome. On July 6, Their Majesties gave a state dinner in honor of the Conference at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the guests being conveyed to and from Amsterdam by special train. At this occasion the members were again presented to Their Majesties, who congratulated them upon the progress of their work, and after the dinner Queen Wilhelmina proposed the toast to the health of all the Sovereigns and heads of state represented at the Conference. In response Baron de Staal proposed the health of Their Majesties, which toast it is needless to say was received with great enthusiasm. Festivities. Private hospitality. On May 27 the Burgomaster and Municipal Council of The Hague gave a grand concert to the Conference, in the Hall of Arts and Sciences, and on June 17 the Netherlands Government gave a musical and artistic festival, the climax of which was an historical dance illustrating the costumes of the various Dutch provinces. A great floral and equestrian fête and contest at Haarlem on June 4 was also given in honor of the Conference, and will remain a most beautiful recollection for all who were privileged to take part. The same is true of the grand concert and ball at Scheveningen, given by the Societé des Bains de Mer de Scheveningue on June 12. Besides these entertainments it is needless to add that official society at The Hague was profuse in its social attentions, and the same is true of the Diplomatic Corps, whose members vied with each other in |