The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-08

probably best be accomplished by an
international agreement to regard all
private property at sea as exempt from
capture or destruction by the forces
of belligerent powers. The United
United States government has for many
years advocated this humane and bene-
ficent principle, and is now in a posi-
ton to recommend it to other powers
without the imputation of selfish mo-
tives. 1 therefore suggest for your
consideration that the Executive be
authorized to correspond with the gov
ernments of the principal maritime
powers with a view of incorporating
into the permanent law of civilized
nations the principle of the exemp-
ton of all private property at
sea, not contraband of war, from cap
ture or. destruction by belligerent
powers"
L cordially renew this recommends
ton. -..
The Supreme Court, speaking on
Dec. II, 1899, through Peckham, j.,
said:
1T is, we Think, historically accurate
to say that this government has all
ways been, in it's views, among the
most advanced of the governments of
the world in favor of mitigating, as to
all non-combatants, the hardships and
horrors of war. To accomplish that
object it has always advocated those
rules which would in most cases do
away with the right to capture the
private property of an enemy on the
high seas"
II advocate this as matter of hui
mainly and morals. 1t is anachronis-
tic when private property is respected
on land that it should not be respected
at sea. Moreover, it should be borne
in mind that shipping represents, in
ternationally speaking a much more
Of Nf-irr to ArtxS
than is the case with ordinary proper
ty on land-that is, property found at
sea Is much less apt than is the case
with property found on land really to
belong to any one nation. Under the
modern system of corporate ownership
the flag of a vessel often differs from
the flag which would mark the ma
tionality of the real ownership and
money control of the vessel; and the
cargo may belong to individuals of
yet a different nationality. Much
American capital is now invested in
foreign ships; and among foreign ma
tions it often happens that the capital
of one is largely invested in the ship
ping of another. Furthermore, as
practical matter, it may be mentioned
that while commerce destroying may
cause serious loss and great annoy
ance, it can never be more than a
subsidiary factor in bringing to terms
a resolute foe. This is now we'll recog-
nized by all of our naval experts The
lighting ship, not the commerce de-
stroyer, is the vessel whose feats add
renown to a nations history, and es-
tabliSh her place among the great
powers of the world.
Last year the Interparliamentary I'M
ion for International Arbitration met
at Vienna, 600 members of the diff
ferent legislatures of civilized coun-
that
the next meeting shoeld be in 1904
at st. Louis, subject to our Congress
extending an invitation. Like the
Hague Tribunal, this Interparliamen-
tary Union is one of the forces tend
ing towards peace among the nations
of the earth, and it is entitled to our
support. 1 trust the invitation can be
extended.
The Beirut Affair
Early in July, having received in
telligence which happily turned out
to be erroneous, of the assassination
of our vice consul at Beirut, 1 dis
patched a small squadron to that port
for such service as might be found
necessary on arrival Although the at
tempt on the life of our vice consul
had not been successful yet the out
rage was symptomatic of a state OF
excitement and disorder which de-
manded immediate attention. Ihe ar
rival of the vessels had the happiest
result. A feeling of security at once
took the place of the former alarm
and disquiet our officers were cordial
ly welcomed by the consular body and
the leading merchants, and ordinary
business resumed it's activity. The
government of the Sultan gave a con-
siderate hearing to the representations
of our minister the official who was
Y-eOarded as raSDOnsible for the dis
turbed condition of affairs was re-
moved. Our relations with the Turkish
government remain friendly; our claims
founded on inequitable treatment or
some of our schools and missions APP
pear to be in process of amicable adj
justment.
The signing of a new commercial
treaty with China. which took place
at Shanghai on Oct. s, is the cause Tor