Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White, vol 2 | Page 7

facts regarding this charge. Sundry other charges against him; his
dealings with the Venezuela question; excellent reasons for it. His
feeling toward the United States. Summary of his position in
contemporary history.
CHAPTER XLV
. AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN DELEGATION AT THE
PEACE CONFERENCE OF THE HAGUE: I--1899
Proposal of a Conference by Nicholas II. Reasons why the Netherlands
were preferred to Switzerland as its place of meeting. General
misunderstanding as to the Emperor's proposal. My own skepticism.
Resultant feeling regarding the Conference. My acceptance of the
nomination to it. Condition of things on our arrival at The Hague. First
meeting of the American Delegation. Am chosen its president. General

character of our instructions from Washington. American plan of
arbitration. Preliminary meetings of delegates. The opening session.
The "House in the Wood"; its remarkable characteristics. Proceedings.
General skepticism at first. Baron de Staal as President of the
Conference. Count Nigra. Lord Pauncefote and others. Public spirit of
the Dutch Government. Growth of hope as to a good result. Difficulties
as to disarmament The peace lobby. Queer letters and crankish
proposals. Better ideas. M. de Bloch and his views. Count
Welsersheimb and others. Organization of the Conference. First
decision regarding the publication of our proceedings. Rumors.
Attitude of Count Munster, President of the German Delegation.
Attitude of Russia and sundry other powers regarding the American
proposal for exempting private property from seizure on the high seas.
New instructions sought by us from Washington. First presentation of
the Presidents of Delegations to the Queen; her conversation. My talk
with the British Admiral, Sir John Fisher. Real and imaginary
interviews published in sundry European papers.
CHAPTER XLVI
. AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN DELEGATION AT THE
PEACE CONFERENCE OF THE HAGUE: II--1899
Apparent wavering of Russia regarding an arbitration scheme. Count
Munster's view of the Russian proposals. Social gatherings. Influx of
people with notions, nostrums, and whimsies. First meeting of the great
committee on arbitration. Presentation of the Russian plan; its serious
defects. Successful effort of Sir Julian Pauncefote to provide for a
proper court. Excellent spirit shown by the Russian delegates. Final
character of the American project for an arbitration plan. Festival given
to the Conference by the Burgomaster and City Council of The Hague.
I revisit Delft after an absence of thirty years; deep impression made
upon me by the tombs of William the Silent and Grotius.
Amalgamation of the Russian, British, and American plans for
arbitration. A day in London. Henry Irving in Sardou's "Robespierre";
good and evil of the piece; its unhistorical features. Return to The
Hague. The American plan of "Special Mediation" and "Seconding
Powers" favorably received by the Conference. Characteristics of the
amalgamated plan for the Arbitration Tribunal; its results. Visit from

Count Munster; interesting stories of his life as Ambassador at St.
Petersburg; the young German savant rescued from Siberia; Munster's
quarrel with Gortchakoff; his quotation from the old Grand Duke
Michael. Questions in the Conference regarding asphyxiating bombs,
etc. Attitude of the American delegates Question of the exemption of
private property from seizure at sea; difficulty in getting it before the
Conference; earnest support given us by the Netherlands and other
governments. Talk with the leading Netherlands Delegate, Van
Karnebeek. Reasons why South America was not represented in the
Conference. Line of cleavage between political parties in the
Netherlands. Fears of President McKinley regarding our special
mediation proposal. Continuance of hortatory letters and crankish
proposals. Discussion between American and Russian delegates on a
fusion of various arbitration plans. Difficulties discovered in our own;
alteration in them obtained from the State Department. Support given
by Germany to the American view regarding the exemption of private
property on the high seas.
CHAPTER XLVII
. AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN DELEGATION AT THE
PEACE CONFERENCE OF THE HAGUE: III--1899
Festival given to the Conference by the city of Haarlem. Difficulties
encountered by the American proposal for the immunity of private
property at sea. Question as to what contraband of war really is in these
days. Encouraging meeting of the great committee on arbitration and
mediation. Proposal to the Secretary of State that the American
Delegation lay a wreath of silver and gold upon the tomb of Grotius at
Delft. Discussion of the Brussels Conference Rules. Great social
function at the house of the British Minister; John Bull's wise policy in
sustaining the influence of his Embassies and Legations, its happy
results so far as Great Britain is concerned. Work on the arbitration
plans progressing. Discouragement. Germany, Austria, Italy, and some
minor powers seem suddenly averse to arbitration. Determination of
other powers to go on despite this. Relaxation of the rule of secrecy
regarding our proceedings. Further efforts in behalf of the American
proposal for exemption of private property from seizure at sea.
Outspoken opposition of Germany to arbitration. Resultant

disappointment