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The president of the first committee is M。 Bernaert； a leading
statesman of Belgium； who has made a most excellent impression on
me from the first； and the two honorary presidents are Count
Munster； German ambassador at Paris； and myself。
The president of the second committee is M。 de Martens； the
eminent Russian authority on international law； and the two
honorary presidents； Count Welsersheimb of Austria…Hungary； and
the Duke of Tetuan from Spain。
The third committee receives as its president M。 Leon Bourgeois；
who has held various eminent positions in France； the honorary
presidents being Count Nigra； the Italian ambassador at Vienna；
and Sir Julian Pauncefote； the British ambassador at Washington。
There was much discussion and considerable difference of opinion
on many points； but the main breeze sprang up regarding the
publicity of our doings。 An admirable speech was made by Baron de
Bildt； who is a son of my former Swedish colleague at Berlin； has
held various important positions at Washington and elsewhere； has
written an admirable history of Queen Christina of Sweden； and is
now minister plenipotentiary at Rome。 He spoke earnestly in favor
of considerable latitude in communications to the press from the
authorities of the conference； but the prevailing opinion；
especially of the older men； even of those from constitutional
states； seemed to second the idea of Russia；that communications
to the press should be reduced to a minimum； comprising merely
the external affairs of the conference。 I am persuaded that this
view will get us into trouble； but it cannot be helped at
present。
May 24。
As was to be expected； there has begun some reaction from the
hopes indulged shortly after the conference came together。 At our
arrival there was general skepticism； shortly afterward； and
especially when the organization of the arbitration committee was
seen to be so good； there came a great growth of hope； now comes
the usual falling back of many。 But I trust that this will not be
permanent。 Yesterday there was some talk which； though quiet； was
none the less bitter； to the effect that the purpose of Russia in
calling the conference is only to secure time for strengthening
her armaments； that she was never increasing her forces at a
greater rate； especially in the southwestern part of the empire
and in the Caucasus； and never intriguing more vigorously in all
directions。 To one who stated this to me my answer simply was
that bad faith to this extent on the part of Russia is most
unlikely； if not impossible； that it would hand down the Emperor
and his advisers to the eternal execration and contempt of
mankind； and that； in any case； our duty is clear： to go on and
do the best we can； to perfect plans for a permanent tribunal of
arbitration； and to take measures for diminishing cruelty and
suffering in war。
Meeting Count Munster； who； after M。 de Staal； is very generally
considered the most important personage here； we discussed the
subject of arbitration。 To my great regret； I found him entirely
opposed to it； or； at least； entirely opposed to any
well…developed plan。 He did not say that he would oppose a
moderate plan for voluntary arbitration； but he insisted that
arbitration must be injurious to Germany； that Germany is
prepared for war as no other country is or can be； that she can
mobilize her army in ten days； and that neither France； Russia；
nor any other power can do this。 Arbitration； he said； would
simply give rival powers time to put themselves in readiness； and
would therefore be a great disadvantage to Germany。
Later came another disappointment。 M。 de Martens； having read the
memorandum which I left with him yesterday on the subject of
exempting private property； not contraband of war； from seizure
upon the high seas called； and insisted that it would be
impossible； under any just construction of the Mouravieff
programme； to bring the subject before the second committee as we
had hoped to do； that Russia would feel obliged to oppose its
introduction； and that Great Britain； France； and Italy； to say
nothing of other powers； would do the same。 This was rather
trying； for I had especially desired to press this long…desired
improvement in international law； and I showed him how persistent
the United States had been as regards this subject throughout our
whole history； how earnest the President and his cabinet are in
pressing it now； and how our delegation are bound； under our
instructions； to bring it before the conference。 I insisted that
we should at least have the opportunity to present it； even if it
were afterward declared out of order。 To this he demurred； saying
that he feared it would arouse unpleasant debate。 I then
suggested that the paper be publicly submitted to our whole body
for special reference to a future conference； and this he took
into consideration。 Under other circumstances； I would have made
a struggle in the committee and； indeed； in the open session of
the full conference； but it is clear that what we are sent here
for is； above all； to devise some scheme of arbitration； and that
anything which comes in the way of this； by provoking ill…feeling
or prolonging discussion on other points； will diminish our
chances of obtaining what the whole world so earnestly desires。
During the day our American delegation held two sessions； and； as
a result； a telegram of considerable length to the State
Department was elaborated； asking permission to substitute a new
section in our original instructions regarding an arbitration
tribunal； and to be allowed liberty to make changes in minor
points； as the development of opinion in the conference may
demand。 The substitute which we suggested referred especially to
the clash between the original instructions and the Monroe
Doctrine。 I was very reluctant to send the despatch； but； on the
whole； it seemed best； and it was adopted unanimously。
In the afternoon； at five； the presidents of all the delegations
went to the palace； by appointment； and were presented to the
young Queen and to the Queen…mother。 The former is exceedingly
modest； pretty； and pleasant； and as she came into the room；
about which were ranged that line of solemn； elderly men； it
seemed almost pathetic。 She was evidently timid； and it was； at
first； hard work for her； but she got along well with Count
Munster； and when she came to me I soon brought the conversation
upon the subject of the 〃House in the Wood〃 by t