The Matin has published an interview with Mr. Stead on
the subject of the Hague Conference to be held this spring. Before leaving London, so Mr. Stead informed the represen- tative of the Malin, he had held conversations with Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman and Sir Edward Grey, and was authorised to make certain declarations in their name, These were not confined to general professions of sympathy with the objects of the Conference, but included the specific statement that "the question whether the civilised nations could not come to an understanding in order to prevent war, or to make it as rare as possible, will be raised at the Hague, if not by any other country, by Great Britain herself." Furthermore, the Premier had given his formal assent to the bringing forward of a proposal that henceforth all civilised countries should place on their Budgets a sum, however small, to enable Foreign Ministers to assist private individuals in defraying the cost of visits, conferences, and receptions designed to maintain good relations with other Countries and to spread the ideas of peace. Mr. Stead, we may further note, said that it was not impossible that Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman might sit himself at the Conference as first Minister-Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom. We are not very sanguine as to the results of the Conference, but peace is so tremendous a benefit, and war so terrible an evil, that nothing, however small, that tends in the right direction should be despised. We must be cautious, however, that in striving after peace we do not give fresh occasions for war.
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