The Secretary of State to Ambassador Tower.
Washington , January 15, 1907 .
(The Russian ambassador gives the information that Professor Martens is to proceed during the week to visit Berlin, Paris, London, The Hague, Rome, and Vienna, in the order named, to exchange views with the respective Governments concerning the organization of the Second Peace Conference and the selection of a convenient date for its meeting. The Russian Government suggests, as he can not visit Washington, that he confer with one of the American ambassadors at those capitals. Mr. Tower is authorized to meet Professor Martens for the indicated purpose. This Government makes no suggestion as to organization, assuming that it will be much the same as that of the First Conference, and will insure equality of participation. Some day in May or early June is suggested, but deference is to be paid to the wishes of the Netherlands Government, as the conference is to enjoy its hospitality.
The information is added that the department has been in correspondence with the Government of Russia concerning the reservation made by the United States at the outset of the right to bring forward the two questions of the reduction of armaments and the employment of force to collect contractual debts owing by one Government to the citizens of another. This Government desires to be at liberty to elicit the sense of the conference as to whether these subjects are germane to the objects of the conference and proper to be discussed.)
(Similar telegrams to American embassies at London and Rome.)