New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-06
AMERICAN IDEA PREV AILS.
SPECIAL CONFERENCE on EXEMPTION
OF PRIVATE PROPERTY AT SEA.
AMBASSADOR WHITE MAKES STRONG
ARGUMENT AGAINST PRIVATEERING
MANY OBSTACLES OVERCOME
AT LAST


The Hague, July ,.-The American delegates
a great success to-day in obtaining from
the Peace Conference a unanimous vote In favor
Of having the question of private property at
sea In time OF war dealt with at a special con-
ference 10 be summoned hereafter.
Much diplomatic management was necessary
and many obstacles had TO be surmounted before
this result was reached.
The Second Committee met this morning. and
Ambassador Andrew y. White. head Of the
American delegation. broached the subject The
question Of it's admiss!bility under the Confer
ence mandate was discussed. No vote was taken.
but an agreement was arrived at TO allow the
Americans to present their case in full in the
afternoon Had a vote been taken Immediately
the Americans would doubtless have carried
their point by a majority Of one or two; and 10
avoid this a resolution proposed recog-
nizng the Importance and complexity Of the
question and recommending the summoning OF
a special conference.
WHAT THE UNITED STATES SOUGHT
At the afternoon sitting OF the committee
the successive clauses Of the laws Of war hav-
ing been adopted-M de Martens. of the Rus
sian delegation. moved resolution 70 that
effect Mr. White seconded. In the course or
a clear and eloquent statement OF the American
case he said the United States Government had
accepted the invitation TO participate in the
Conference with alacrity because Of the oppor
tunity Il was expected the Conference would
afford for preaching the true faith regarding
the immunity from capture Of private property
at sea He admitted. however. that the United
States Government recognized II would be hope
less TO expect any decisive result from this Con
ference owing 10 three causes First. absence OF
Instructions from powerful Governments, sec
ond doubts as 10 the competence Of the Con-
ference: and. third. the length Of time necessary
for a discussion Of all the bearings Of the case.
Mr. White frankly admitted the difficulties
involved IN deciding what constituted contra
hand ~ war but insisted hat these supplied
one Of the best arguments for full and prompt
discussion The suffering and losses which
seizures entailed were immense. while the effect
upon the ultimate result Of was almost
nothing Referring 10 the experience Of the
United States in the War Of the Rebellion, he
said that only three Confederate cruisers did
anything Of Importance. but they captured l69
vessels quadrupled the rate Of insurance be
tween America and Great Britain. and caused
the transfer Of a half million tons OF American
shipping to British bottoms. The final result
was that the whole American marine was Writ
ually swept out OF existence.
DESTRUCTION WITHOUT REASON.
'If that resulted from the operations Of three
poorly equipped little steamers" he continued
.. l,at would happ-n with the means ~ the dis
posal of the greater nations to-day? Yet every
one knows that this privateering had not the
the war; nor would IT have had any. even II the
losses had been ten times greater The only
real effect is gained by warships in maintaining
q blockade Nowadays the transfer OF goods
bv land is so general that interruption by sea
as q rule does nothing to promote the ending
~ war but that interruption may destroy ac-
curnulations OF human wealth and skill requr-
ing generation TO make good, while the losses
cannot be confined 10 belgerents alone, out
must affect more or less directly the whole
world"
Mr. White warmly repudlated the supposition
that the Americans were animated by selnsh
considerations They were eminently pracucaI
he said but not less pre-eminently devoted 10
great Ideals This he illustrated by referring 20
the enormous sacrifices made during the ClN"
War and the devotion Of the Americans 70 ar
bItration But the question he was urging upon
,ha delegates he asserted, was one or risnt' JUS
IL - rrorress for the whole world. and this
all Americans felt deeply. Nor could the accept
srce OF the American proposal in)ure any ma
t,on on the contrary. II would strengthen all
The head n the American delegation con-
cluded with an eloquent appeal TO the Jurists
dinlomatists and statesmen Of all nations as
serbled in the Conference to take the subject
under careful consideration. declaring In the
words ~ Count Nesselrode. that the addition
NJ this nrinciple TO international law would be
crown OF glory TO the worlds diplomacy.
SUPPORT FROM A DUTCH DELEGATE.
n Rahusen. Of the Dutch delegation sup
norted Mr. White. and suggested that the gov
errnants ravorng the idea should conclude
treaties among themselves
Sir Julian Pauncefote. head OF the British dele
cation said that British opinion was divided on
,ho srh,ect ard that he had no instructions re-
oord,ng q In his personal opinion. the question
u.as outside the scope Of the Conference
n Rourgeois. head OF the French delesa-
,ior and Captain Scheme, Of the Russian dele
cation announced that in the absence OF IN
structions they could not vote
The resolution was then put and carried WIN
ont opposition. but with reservations on the part
q, Great Britain. France and Russia
The committee also adopted resolution tnat
,ha question Of the determination OF the rights
and duties Of neutral States should be placed
upon the programme Of the future Conference
The Plenary Conference assembled suose-
ouentIv and accepted all the recommendations
OF the commit 'e. -
The American delegation is much grained
a. the result The delegates could not nave
Anticipated a practical issue ct this time Inc
maximum success possible was full ana Tree
opportunity Of placing the American We" Oh
record. and Of continuing unbroken the ira
dition OF a century OF American protest IN De-
half OF progressive Ideas In interna'ioha' law
This result which at one time appeaeu -
possible owing TO the almost ins1pefao'e u'ii'-
cult,es is now triumphantly attained