Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-08

prenens1un nuo wnTcT an ourDreaK -oE
hostilities throws the entire CONNER
rial world. 1t should be our object,
therefore. to minimize so far as prac-
ticable this inevitable loss and dis
turbance. This purpose can probably
best be accomplished by an interna-
tional agreement to regard all private
property at sea as exempt from cap
ture or destruction by the forces Of
be.ligerent powers. The United States
government has for many years adj
vocated this humane and benefcent
principle and is now in position to
recommend it to other powers without
the imputation of selfish motives.
therefore suggest for your considera-
ton that the executive be authorized
10 correspond with the governments of
the principal maritime powers with a
view of incorporating into the perma-
nent law of civilized nations the prin-
ciple of the exemption of all private
property at sea not contra band OF war
from capture or destruction by bel
ligerent powers"
cordially renew this recommended
ton.
Exemption Of Private Property at Sea.
The supreme court, speaking on Dec.
II, 1899, through Peckham, j., said:
1T is, we think, historically accurate
to say that this government has al
ways been in its views among the
most advanced of the governments of
the world in favor of mitigating. as to
all noncOmbatants, 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"
| I advocate this as a 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, ill.,
ternationally speaking, a much more
generalized species of private property
than is the case with ordinary proper
ty on land-that is, property found at
SCd 40 LhuNh lCSS APT lhull ID tuS CttSc
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 nation
atty of the real ownership and money
control of the vessel, and the cargo
may belong to individuals of yet diff
ferent nationality. Much American
capital is now invested in foreign ships,
and among foreign nations it often
happens that the capital of one is large
ly invested in the shipping of another.
Furthermore, as a practical matter it
may be mentioned that, while commerce
destroying may cause serious loss and
great annoyance, it can never be more
than subsidiary factor in bringing to
terms a reSolute foe This is now well
recognized by all of our naval experts.
The fighting ship, not the commerce
destroyer, is the vessel whose feats add
renown to a nation's history aid es-
tablish her place among the great pow
ers of the world.
Last year the Interparliamentary I'm
ion For International Arbitration met
at Vienna. 800 members of the differ
ent legislatures Of civilized countries
attending. 1t was provided that the
next meeting should be in 1904 at St
Louis, subject to our congress extend
ing an invitation. Like The Hague
tribunal, this interparliamentaly union
is one of the forces tending toward
peace among the nations Of the earth
and it is entitled to our support t.
trust the invitation can be extended.
Relations With Turkey.
Early in July, having RECEIVED intels
ligence. which happily turned out to be
erroneous, of the assassination Of our Il
vice consul at Beirut, / dispatched M
small squadron to that port sfofssucf
service as might be found necessary
on arrival. Although the attempt on
the life of our vice consul had not been
successful, yet the outrage was symp-
tomato of a state of excitement and
disorder which demanded immediate
attention. The arrival of the vessels
had the happiest result A feeling Of
security at once took the place of the
former alarm and disquiet Our Off
GERS We're cordially welcomed by the
consular body and the leading mer-
chants, and ordinary business resumed
Its activity. The government of the
sultan gave considerable hearing to
the representations of our minister; the
official who was regarded as RESPONSE
Die for the disturbed condition of af-
fairs was removed. Our relations with
the Turkish government remain friend
~; our claims, founded on inequitable
treatment Of some of our schools and
missions. appear to be in process of am
icable adjustment.
Relations With China.
The signing of a new commercial
treaty with China, which took place at
Shanghai on the Sth of October, is a
cause for satisfaction. This act, the re-
suit of long discussion and negotiation,
places our commercial relations with