The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-14

tic in support of the arbitration prln-
ciple as are others who should take the
lead in the matter, but the German del
egates are cooperating Loyalty in franz
ing the arbitration schedule and moth
ing has occurred which would justify
the publication of any statement as to
the German hostility to arbitration.
There is another story which is quite
as false, and which in the United states
may be even more mischievous. l mean
the absurd story that we have aban-
doned the American plan Tor peI 1ila-
nent arbitration board. The Delegation,
therefore. has prepared for you the fol-
lowing statement:
In view of the misleading statements
published in America regarding the course
Of the drafting committee of the arbl-
tration committee and the exact position
Of the American proposals, you may say
that the American plan for permanent
tribunal, which has been correctly set
forth in the American papers, has been
referred with other similar plans to the
drafting committee. This committee will
report to the fun committee on arbitra-
ton the exact text of all of the reports
submitted, as the drafting committee
shall Professionally recommend The com
mttee on arbitration and afterward the
conference viii finally pass on the va
rious projects The fact that in the draft
ing committee the English proposals have
been used as the basis of discussion does
not indicate in the least the abandonment
OF any plans. It is not expected that the
drafting committee will be ready to re-
port to the committee on arbitration for
a week or ten days, and all statements
regarding its work or attitude are mere
surmise.
Sir Julian Pauncefote head of the
British delegation, emphatically con-
firms the accuracy of the statement of
Mr.. Hollis to the Associated Press.
The subcommittee of the Red Cross
OF of
the Dutch delegation presiding, to hear
the report of Professor Louis Renauit
of the French delegation on the eX-
tension of the Geneva convention To
naval warfare. The report. in the
unanimous opinion of the delegates, is
mastery piece Of work. All the es
sential principles of the original scheme
as embodied in the body of the report
were agreed to although several
amendments as to details were sub
mitred. Professor ASser pointed out
the necessity Of communicating to an
enemy an exact list Of hospital ships.
Captain A T. Mahan of the United
States delegation will Thursday sub
nit an amendment defining the status
Of shipwrecked persons and wounded
men rescued accidentally by neutral
vessels.
Count de Grelle- Roglar of the Belgian
delegation proposed to-day a modifica-
llpu OF cause ~ OF the convention deal
ing with shipwrecked. wounded and
sick men when landed in a neutral
port.
The question was also considered of
replacing the Red Cross flag by one
without religious significance. the
Turkish and Siamese Governments
having made declarations on this
point. All these matters will be dis
posed of a Thursdays meeting of the
committee which will then report. and
there is no doubt that Professor Re
nault's report will finally be adopted.
The preamble indorses the applica-
ton to naval warfare of the principles
of the Geneva convention of 1854 and
the supplementary clauses Of 1868. En-
deavOring to reconcile the various con-
1icting interests. it recognizes the ne
cessity of not hampering belligerents
in legitimate action. While modifying
unnecessary suffering. These consider
ations met with the appreciation of all
the powers, especially Great Britain
and the United States.
The adaptation of the principles Of
the Geneva convention TO naval war
fare is regarded as the first real
achievement of the conference. The
Brussels committee held a short SEES
sion to-day. reporting progress.