PEACE CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1818, 26 July 1906, Page 2

PEACE CONGRESS.

BRITISH PREMIER'S STi RRING ADDRESS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT London, July 24. Lord Wcarda-le is presiding at the Conference of international Parliamentary Delegates. Sir H. C. Bannerman, Lords Twcedmoutli, Carrington. Crewe, and Avebury are among the British representatives.

Six members af the Russian Duma received an impressive welcome, the whole conference rising and cheering them enthusiastically. Sir H. C. Bannerman read a stirring address in French, welcoming the con ference in the name of the British Government and King. His Majesty especially desired to express the interest he felt in the historic gathering. The Government unreservedly associated themselves with the object of the conference, and hoped their deliberations would promote a closer understanding between the nations. Already thirty-eight arbitration agreements had been concluded between the different Powers, ten being on behalf of Britain. This was a solid and splendid achievement. He hoped ere long the principle of arbitration would be extended to the wider field of international differences. Sir H. C Bannerman, continuing, said it was deplorable that there was, with the growth of arbitration, no corresponding reduction in the world's armaments. The nations were still racing one against another after a phantom security, which continually vanished. The democracy must soon recognise they are victims of a war of militarism. In welcoming the Duma members Sir H C. Bannerman declined to comment on the dissolution of the Russian Parliament, except to say that new institutions often have a stormy youth. The Duma will revive in one form or another. 11 We can say with all sincerity,” he added, “ the Duma is dead, long live the Duma.” (Loud cheers.) He hoped the nations attending theHague conference would go there like the British, pledged to diminish the charges in respect to armaments. He eulogised the Czar as convener of the Hague conference. On the motion of Count Apponyi, the Conference thanked King Edward for his message. Professor Kovalevsky regretted that the mission of the Duma's delegates had been brought abruptly to au end. The delegates intended to return to Russia with an unshakable resolve to continue their great fight for freedom and a place in world conferences.

It was resolved it" would be advantageous to give the Hague Conference a more permanent influence in the work of pacification. Mr W. F. Bryan proposed that the model treaty of arbitration should provide for investigation by an impartial interna tional tribunal before war, iu all cases the disputants reserving the. right to act independently afterwards. Members of the Fed.,.': I iriituavm sent a cable continuing gv •••. .- : > the inter-Parliamcntary Congress .-suing ii; London.

A MODEL TREATY. PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

Received 9.35 p.m., July 25. London, July 25. Mr Bryau delivered an eloquent appeal to the Parliamentary Congress on his resolution dealing with a model arbitral tion treaty, which was ultimately adopted.