"GREAT HAGUE JOKE."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1843, 1 September 1913, Page 7

"GREAT HAGUE JOKE."

LONDON PRESS COMMENT ON THE PEACE PALACE. GUNS OR DIPLOMACY? By Tel€{rrapli—Press Association—Copyright , t London, August 29. , The "Daily News," _ discussing tho Palnco of Peaco. opening ceremony at Tho Hague, emphasises the contrast between statesmen's professions and conduct, and enumerates tlio wars that havo been waged since tho Tsar's Rescript of 1898, coupling with its account a review of the horrors of Russian repressions. Tho paper says: "Tho list /i covors a period of violence, bloodshed, 'and perfidy, unparalleled in any century. With fow exceptions, tho statesmen'of tho world still believo in force, in tho sword moro than in treaties, in accomplished fact moro than in justice. Porhaps the moral is that it is moro : difficult to change the mentality of Governments than of the people, since the propaganda of peaco can he moro profitably addressed to the latter. Tho "Standard," under tho heading "Tho Great Hague Joke," refers to costly wars that fiavo taken place since the Tsar's Rescript started a colossal sham. It adds: "Brazil, in sending a warship 111 honour of Tlio Hague ceremonies, shows a fine- senso of the fitness of things. Had others desired to tell the truth instead of countenancing a polite piece of humbug, they would havo ' sent Dreadnoughts with flags inscribed, 'The Rejal Defenders of. tho AVorld's Peace,' for it is not a Haguo Conference, but army corps and battleships that only _ can prevent rivalries from. bursting into (lame. We must face that fact._ While every nation is sincerely desirous to keep tho peace as long as possible, all aro convinced that there is no guarantee against aggression but their own ability to defend themselves." KAISER HOLDS THE TORCH. (Rec. August 31, 5.5 p.m.) . The Hague, August 30. Tlio Tsar has telegraphed Queen Wilheilmina that 110 hopes that the Palaco of Peaco will contributo to tho causo he had always had at heart-. Sir Alan Johnstone, British Minister at-'The Haguo, unveiled tho bust of tho lato King Edward. Mr. Androw Carnegie, when unveiling tho bust of Cremers, said that ir I tho Kaiser summoned a council of the ' nations, universal peace would bo assured. "A small spark," ho said, "oft creates a flame. Tho Kaiser holds tho torch."