1907년 헤이그 평화회의의 개최과정과 성격

Abstract

The second Hague Conference which was held in 1907, a few years before World WarⅠ became the arena of the struggle among the World Powers in Europe which were seriously antagonistic to each other. At the Conference Germany stood against the reduction of military power and the United Kingdom strongly raised an objection against this. However, such a German attitude made English imperialists very happy because it provided a basis for anti-German advertisement and a pretext for developing the English navy and collecting higher taxes. Russia weakened and lost lots of its influence on the international stage due to its defeat at the Russo-Japanese War. The basic reason why all the world powers had attended the Peace Conference was, it seems, as follows; They agreed that it was necessary to establish a new rule and regulation in connection with a war as the new weapons were on the development stage and the condition of a war changed largely. And also there was a propagandistic reason to get support from their people. We can not but agree that the Conference was a plot for the World Powers that pursued a militarism line. However, as the reduction of military power gave the citizens of the world a message of peace, the Conference can be said to be hopeful one. The Hague Peace Conference which was held two times paved the way for the verification of the establishment of a modern international system and the necessity of an international body. Also it showed the power of the people who desired peace and it played a crucial role in the mobilization and unification of the power of pacifism. The Hague Peace Conference was a closely watched by the pacifists in the world and came into the spotlight of the progressive press. Finally several scholars said that the Emperor Gwangmoo conducted himself childishly, however, I do not agree with them. Even if the Emperor Gwangmoo had not sent the secret envoy to The Hague Peace Conference, I believe, his abdication was prearranged by Japan because Japan had concluded a protectorate treaty with Korea in 1905. The emperor who had lost sovereignty didn't stand still and tried to appeal to international society. His action was only the wayat that situation. The Hague Peace Conference where the whole world was interested and the organs of public opinion and groups of all countries of the world gathered was the most suitable stage to disclose the Japanese act of brutality. As the envoy who was dispatched to The Hague by the Emperor Gwangmoo let the whole world know that the protectorate treaty between Korean and Japan was illegal and Japan plundered Korea's sovereignty, they could get the pacifists' understanding and sympathy.