The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-06
PRIVATE PROPERTY II Sci
.ar.nscAy DELEGATES sC0nB 4
cngAP sUCCEsS.
rAe ua~~e Conference. 1t Their ne-
suest, Repe1ves In Favsr Of So
eiai Cenfesenee II Nations, -
Adept the American flaa.

021Gx8IS3
IN obtaining from the peace conference
unanimous vote In favor Of having the
question Of private property at sea IN
time OF war dealt with at special con-
ference, TO be summoned hereafter
Much diplomatic management was
necessary, and many obstacles had oeea
surmounted before this result was
reached.
The second committee met this morn
Ing, and Andrew D. White. head Of the
American delegation. preached the sun
ject The question Of Its admisstoility
under the conference mandate was DIS
cussed. No vote was taken. but an agree
msnt was arrived At to sioT on, the ne. Am 9ss1
nOou- Had vote been taken immedI-
ately the Americans would doubtless
have carried their point BY majority 2.
was proposed recognizing the Importance
and completely OF the question and rec.
ommending the summcning OF special
Al the afternoon sitting Of the commit-
tee the successive clauses of laws OF war
having been adopted. NJ. DeMertians. OF
ton to that effect. Mr.. White seconded
It. In the course Of clear and eloquent
statement Of the American case. he said
the United States government had ac-
cepted the Invitation to participate In the
conference with alacrity because OF the
opportunity II was expected the CONFER
ence would afford for preaching the truth
with regard to the immunity from capture
Of private property at sea- He admitted.
however that the government, recosnix-
ed II would be hopeless to expect any de-
cfafve result from this conference, OWING
to three causes-the absence OF inssruc-
lions or power from the governments. sec
ond. doubts as to the competence OF the
CONFERENCE and third the len a ,n 81 h se
ingy OF the case.
Mr.. white frankly admitted the difficulty
involved In deciding what constituted con-
tFaband Of war, but insisted that this sup
piled one Of the best arguments for fun
and prominent discussion. The suffering
and losses which seizures entailed were
immense, while the effect upon the uItt-
mate result OF war was almost nothing.
Referring to the experience OF the United
States in the war OF the rebellion, he said
that only three Confederate cruisers li1
anything of importance. but they captured
l6e vessels. Quadrupled the rate OF insur-
ance between America and Great Britain.
and caused the transfer or a half million
tons OF American shipping to British pot
toms The nnal result. was that the whole
American marine was virtually swept out
OF existence.
three poorly equipped little steamers" he
continued, what would have happened
with the means at the disposal of the
Knows that this privateering had not the
slightest effect on ending. or even short
enIng the war, nor would 1t have had any.
t aSe ons real saned s.
warships in maintaining blOckade. Now
adays the transfer OF goods by land t. 20
as The ss
but that interruption may destroy accumu-
lasions Of human wealth and skin requiring
generation to make good, while the losses
but must AFFECT more or less directly the
Mr. Wn.fe warmly .repudiased the sup
eho rtnov uV,SRv afxH1
by selfish considerations They were emil
nently practical, he said. but not less pre-
eminently devoted to great deals. This be
saerince made s darinss the ae civil war and
the devotion OF Americans to arbitration.
But the question he was urging upon the
justice and the progress or the whole
world and this all Americans felt decided
ly, Nor could the acceptance of the
the contrary. Il would strensthen ali. ~
The head Of the American delegation
concluded With an eloquent appeal TO the
Juriste. diplomats and statesmen OF all
nations assembled in the conference to
take the subject under careful cons.dera-
ton. declaring in the words OF Count Mes
selrode, tina, the additions Of this plea to
glory to the worlds diplomacy"
NJ Rhaueen, OF the Dutch delegation.
supported Nj. White and suggested that the
clude treaties among Themselves.
SIR Julian Pauncefote. head OF the British
delegation. said that British opinion was
divided on the subject and that he had no
instructions regarding 1t. In his personal
opinion the question was outside the scope
OF the conference.
II. Bourgeois. head Of the French de.ega-
ton. and Capt Scheme. Russian delega-
ton. announced that In the absence OF I'm
sesuctions they could not vote. The reso-
luton was then put and carried without
opposition. with the reservations on the
part of Great Britain. France and Russia
The committee also adopted a resolution
that the question OF determination Of rights
and duties OF the several states should be
place on the programme Of a future con-
ference
The pienary conference assembled subse-
quently and accepted all the resolutions of
the committee.
The American delegation is much graft
fed at the result
The delegates could not anticipate prac-
teal issue at tnis time. The maximum s,ic-
cess possible was a full and free express
sion OF opinion. placing ths1 American view
on record and continuing unbroken the
tradition Of centurv OF American protest
I'm behalf Of progressive IDEAS In tnterna-
tional law. This result which at one time
appeared impossible. owing to the almost
insuperahle difiicul,ies. II now almost at
tanned