The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-06
PEACE CONFERENCE.
|uirality Of Private Property at Sea
Was Put to a Vote.
is CARRIED WITHOUT OPPOSITION
kystions Were Made, However,
by Great Britain, France
and Russin.

Hague. July 5.-The American dele
scored q great success today in OBJ
from the peace conference unani-
vote In favor OF having the question
vate property at sea in time OF war
with at special conference to be
oned hereafter. Much diplomatic
kement was necessary and many OBJ
had to be surmounted before this
was reached.
arbitration committee met this
ug and Ambassador White preached
Inject. The subject of its admissible
der the conference mandate was dis
and vote was moved The Amer
would have carried their point by a
ity of one or two II the vote had
taken at once, which was not done.
the afternoon session the successive
OF the laws of war having been
led M. De Martens of the Russian
ates moved resolution to that ef-
Mr. White seconded 1t. In the course
clear and eloquent statement of the
lean case he said the United States
nment had accepted the invitation to
cipate in the conference with alacrity
Sc of the opportunity 1t was expected
Conference would afford for preaching
truth with regard to the immunity
capture of private property at sea.
omitted, however, that the United
government recognized 1t would be
less to expect any decisive result from
A conference owing to three causes.
absence of instructions from power.
governments; second, doubts as to
Incompetence of the conference. and.
the length of time necessary for a
ssion of all the bearings of the case.
White admitted the difficulties in
Id in deciding what constituted con-
Ind of war. but insisted that these
Elied one of the best arguments for
Ind prompt discussion. The suffering
losses which seizures entailed were
ense, while the effect upon the ulti-
J result of war was almost nothing.
bring to the experience of the United
BIS in the war of the rebellion he said
only three Confederate cruisers did
hing of Importance, but they captured
vessels, quadrupled the rate of insur-
between United States and Great
bin and caused the transfer of half
HILTON tons of American shipping to
sh bottoms. Tho final result was the
De American line was swept out of
fence. If that resulted from the opera
! OF their three poorly equipped little
hers he continued. what would hap
with the means at the disposal OF the
ter nation today? Yet every one knows
3privateering had not the slightest eff
X{, audi or chnrtatipy "a
Duld it have any even If the losses
IN ten times greater The only real
b is gained by warships in maintaining
)ockade. A nations transfer of goods
land is SO general that interruption by
Jas rule does nothing to promote the
ing Of war, but that interruption may
lroy accumulations OF human wealth
skill to make good, while the losses
not be confined to belligerents alone,
must affect, more or less directly, the
he world
(r. White warmly repudiated the suppo-
Pn that Americans were animated by
psh considerations. They were emil
PLY practical, he said, but not less pre-
|nently devoted to great ideals. This
illustrated by referring to the enormous
fihce made during the civil war and
devotion OF Americans to arbitration.
question he was urging on the dele
rs, he asserted, was one of right, JUS
and progress for the whole world and
all Americans felt deeply, nor could
acceptance OF the Americans PROPOSE
injure any one. 1t would strengthen
he head OF the American delegation
lpieted with an eloquent appeal to the
SIS, diplomatists and statesmen of all
ions assembled in the conference to
the subject under careful consid-
lion. declaring in the words of Count
selrode that the addition Of this prin-
9 to international law was but crown
glory to the worlds diplomacy"
!. Rahusen OF the Dutch delegation sup
led Mr.. White and suggested that the
ernments favoring the idea should con-
10 treaties among themselves. Sir Ju-
Pauncefote, head OF the British dele
on, said that British opinion was di-
ID on the subject and that he had no
ructions regarding 1t. In his personal !
mon. the question was outside the
70 of the conference.
!. Bourgoise. head of the French delega-
I, and Captain Scheme OF the Russian |
'gatton announced that in the absence
Instructions they could not vote. The
hutton was then put and carried with
opposition, but with reservations on
part OF Great Britain, France and Rus |
he committee also adopted a resolution |
the question of the determination OF ,
rights and duties OF neutral States /
uld be placed upon the programme OF
future conferences.
ne plenary conference assembled sub I
lentiy and accepted all the recommen-
IONS OF the committee
ne American delegation is much graft
at the result. The delegates could /
nave anticipated a practical issue az |
time. The maximum success posi- |
was full and free opportunity OF
ing the American view on record and I
oreinuing unbroken the tradition of (
Jury OF American protests in behalf OF
sressive IDEAS in international law. This
", which at one time appeared i'm
hpie. owing ito the almost insuperable
cuities, Is now triumphantly attained.
ashington, July 5.-The news from The
ue announcing the unanimous vote OF
peace conference IN favor of holding a
ial conference here to discuss the free
from seizure Of private property at
IN timesof var is a source of satisfac-
70 the administration. Secretary Hay
rus This as a substantial victory for
auvanced position the American gov
.snt has taken on this matter, The
,uon OF the freedom from seizure OF
ave property at sea. belonging to The
Is OF the belligerents, is one in
~ me American government has al
saken the greatest interest ana
aec'ded stand. The United States
'eo To- sign the convention at Paris
az the SOS because the articles agreed
uiu not contain such declaration