New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-12
MARINE CONFERENCE DECISIONS.

The members of the International Marine
Conference which first assembled at Washing
ton nearly two months ago, have distinguished
themselves by the zeal and industry they have
brought to their deliberations, as well as by the
patient and conservative spirit in which they
have canvaSSed wide range Of subjects. EX-
PEI is and laymen alike have noted with APP
proval their many useful suggestions. But gem
eral regret will be felt if, as is now probable,
the Conference should adjourn without some
positive action on the most important questions
which have fallen under its consideration.
Ever since the Atlantic liners began to aston
ISL their passengers by phenomenal displays of
speed maintained in almost all weathers and
under all conditions, the need for suitable pre-
cautions against collisions has been widely felt
From the first it was understood that the Con-
ference would address itself particularly to this
question, and its inquiries into the merits of
cCntrvances for producing course-indicating
Sound-sigrals gave rise to general expectation.
Now however, this expectation seems likely to
be disappointed. The resolution offered in
the Conference by Mr. Goodrich, of New-Yor
and unanimously adopted, declaring it " mex
pedient' to formulate at present any such sys-
tenn of signals, practically removes all chance
Of a reform for some time to come. Travellers
on ocean steamers at high speed in fOggy
weather will have to 90 on comforting them
selves with the doubtful assurance that their
safety depends on system in vogue forty years
| ago, when old fashioned side -wheelers lum-
| beled in a leisuIey way across the Atlantic and
twelve miles an hour in smooth water was con-
sidered a breakneck speed
| The reasons given for this conclusion are
precisely those VIII oh we have before pointed
out and commented on as not necessarily final
viz the isl Of confusion in crowded waters.
the false confidence sOund-signaS might in
spire, and the difficulty of reading and inter
pleting them correctly. 1t is a significant fact
that the resolution, when first presented. met
with strong opposition. Nearly all Of the dele
gates agree that the system it virtually con-
dennis must ultimately be adopted, in more
or less modified form, and Mr.. Goodrich is him
self reported as concurrng in this view. The
decision reached must therefore be considered
as merely an admission of unwllingness on the
| part of the Conference to undertake the respon-
sibity Of specific recommendations, without
suitable opportunity for practical test and ex-
| pertinent.
With regard to the establishment of perma-
nent International Maritime Commission and
Tribunal, the delegates from the northern Eu-
| ropean countries acted under instructions from
their several Governments in pressing action
on the Conference Such action was not. how
ever, contemplated in the original programme.
and could not, therefore, with propnety be pur-
sued. But in its adoption of the committee re-
port declaring the subject Of uniform load marks
" not ripe for consideration" and matter to
be " left to the negotiations to be carried on
between the Governments Of the maritime ma
tions1 the Conference lays itself open to the
criticism that the preminaries OF such neeo-
tiat0ns could nowhere more appropriately orig.
mate than within its own body.