These words lead to the conclusion that the Russian delegates will offer in the Conference a motion for stopping the increase of armaments. Meantime the rumor grows more and more prevalent that the question of a court of arbitration has come to a pause, owing to the declarations of the German delegates that the principle of arbitration is directly contrary to the principle of state sovereignty, which Germany in no circumstances will renounce. I receive from Berlin the telegraphic query, “How about Zorn’s[37] speech?” I send the telegram to the professor named, who is staying also at the Kurhaus, and receive for answer, “I know nothing about a speech by Zorn.” Stead, in his to-day’s chronicle, contradicts the alarming rumors and writes: Whatever may be the attitude which the German government may ultimately assume, nothing could be more correct than the attitude of the German delegates. They are working with their colleagues in what we hope will prove a great establishment for assuring universal peace, and it is to be greatly regretted that their coöperation has been so misrepresented during the last few days. In the evening Bloch’s last lecture. Subject, “The War of the Future from the Economic Standpoint.” Almost all the delegates, also President Staal, present. I learn that some Russian military members of the Conference were very indignant over Bloch’s lectures, and demanded his arrest. LX THE FIRST PEACE CONFERENCE AT THE HAGUE (_concluded_) Turning point in the arbitration question · Professor Zorn · Madame Ratazzi · Professor Martens · Mirza Rhiza Khan · Letter from Frau Büchner · Trip to Amsterdam · At the photographer’s · Limitation of armaments · Two important sessions · Colonel von Schwarzhoff · Limitation rejected · Baron Bildt and Bourgeois · Ball at Staal’s · The Grotius celebration · Letter from Andrew D. White · Article 27 · Departure · International Inquiry Commission · Beldimann in opposition · Again the Inquiry Commission · Beldimann’s ultimatum · _Acte final_ June 15. In the afternoon a reception given by Monsieur and Madame d’Estournelles. The whole Congress comes and goes. Dr. White is buried in a conversation with Count Münster. Then he comes to me. “If you can bring any pressure to bear on influential persons, Baroness, do it now. Every possible measure must be employed to clear away the difficulties that are springing up.... The most important question before our Congress—that of a court of arbitration—has reached a turning point; that is what I was talking with Count Münster about.” I promised to go to one of my friends staying at The Hague, and in high favor with the German Emperor’s uncle, the Grand Duke of Baden, and urge him to apply to the prince in these critical circumstances.