The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-06
GREAT SUCCESS
FOR AMERICANS
Peace Congress Adopts the PROP
erty at Sea" Proposition.
Mr.. WHITES EXCELLENT WORK,
His Statement of the American Case
Was an Able One - Americans
Not Animated by Any Sell.
fish Considerations.


in obtaining from the Peace Conference
an unanimous vote I'm favor OF having the
question OF private property at sea in
time OF war dealt with at a special con-
ference t. be SUMMONED hereafter Much
diplomatic management was necessary
and many obstacles had to De surmount-
ed before the result, was reached.
The second committee met this morn
ing and Andrew ID. White head Of the
American delegation, preached the sub
feet. The question OF its adm.ssibulty
under the conference mandate was dis
cusscd.
At the afternoon sitting of the c0m-
mittee the successive clauses OF The laws
of war having been adopted. Mr. De Mer-
tens, of the Russian delegation. moved
resolution 10 that effect
MIR. WHITES STATEMENT.
Mr. White seconded. In the course of
a clear and eloquent statement of the
American case. he said the United States
government had accepted the invitation tO
participate In tho conference with alacrity
because of the opportunity &c. was ox-
pccted the conference would afford for
preaching the true faith regarding the
immunity from capture OF private pro-
perty at sea. Tie admitted. however. that
The United States government recognized
70 would bee hopeless q expect any de-
ci5iFe result from this conference. owing
20 three causes. first. absence of .nstruc-
lions from powerful governments. Sec
0nd doubts aE TO the competence of the
conference, and third. the length of time
necessary for n discussion of all the bear
ings Of the case
A GOOD ARGUMENT.
Mr. White frankly admitted tho diff
culties involved On deciding what consti-
tutod contraband of war. but insisted that
these supplied one OF the best arguments
for a fun and prompt discussion. The
suffering and losses which seizures on-
tailed were immense while the effect
upon tho ultimate result OF tho war was
almost nothing Referring 90 the cxper-
euce OF tine United States I'm the
civil war. De said that only the Com
Tolerate cruisers did anything of inn
portanco. but thoy captured ID vessels
quadrupIod the rate of Insurance between
America and Great Britain and caused
the transfer OF half million tons OF
American shipping to British bottoms
Tho final result was that the whole Anne
rican marine was virtually swept out OF
existence.
'If that resulted from Tho operations
~ three poorly-cquippod little steamers"
Do continued "what would happen with
tho means at the disposal OF tho greater
nations tO-dav2 Yet everyone Knows that
this priyatoer'ng had not the slightest
effect IN ending. or even shortening The
war, nor would 81 have had amy even If
tho losses had been ten times greater"
40 SELFISH ENDS
Mr.. white warmly ropudiatcd tho SUPP
position that the Americans were aui-
mated by selfish considerations. They
were eminenuy practical. De- said. but not
Jess pre-eminently devoted o. great ideals.
Sir Julian Pauucefoto head OF the
British delegation. said that British 0p.n-
ION was divided ON the subject and that
he had no Instructions regarding &c. In
his personal opinion. the question was
outside the scope OF the conference.
N. Bourgeois. head OF tho French dele
CATION and Captain Scheme of tho Russ
sian delegation. announced that in the
absence OF instructions they could NOT
vote.
Tho resolution was then put and care
rIed without opposition. bu- with reser-
gati0ns on the part of Great Britain
France and Russia.
Tho plen3ry conference assembled SUBJ
soquentiy and accepted alI The rec0m-
mendatlons of the committee.
The American delegation is much graft
fed
This result. which at one time appeared
impossible owing To tho almost insupera-
bic difficulties. is now triumphanty at
tanned
ADMINISTRATION PLEASED.
WASHINGTON. July 1.-The news from
Tie Hague announcing the unanimous
vote of the Peace Conference in favor OF
holding "a special conference hereafter 10
discuss the question OF the freedom from
seizure of private property at sea I'm
time of war Us a source oi genuine salts
faction t0 the Administration.
The American delegates had more iu-
terest On this question. perhaps, than
others before the conference.
Secretary Hay regards the decision
as "a substantial victory for the advanced
position the American government has
taken on this matter. The question on
the freedom from seizure of private pro-
perty at sea belonging t0 the subjects of
the beiligerent nations, the secretary
said. was not IN the list of subjects emu
merated in the Cars cal for the con-
ference. but it was embodied in the i'm
structions given 10 the American dele
cation. The subject the secretary said.
Is one in which the American govern
ment has always taken the greatest in-
tcrcst and a most decided stand ever
since the foundation of the government