The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-31
THE WAR LORD
PROPOSES PEACE
HIS NOTE TO THE POWERS
IS SENT OUT THROUGH THE SEC
RETARY OF STATE.

the Peacema aker-NOte COntem-
plates the ReassembIing of the
Peace Conference at The Hague.
How He Excuses the Call During
Time of War.
Washington. Oct. S0.-In a circular
note Secretary Hay has carried out
the Presidents instructions relative to
proposing a second Hague conven-
tion.
The note contemplates the reassem-
bling of The Hague conference for
the consideration of questions specih-
cally mentioned by the original con-
ference, as demanding further atten-
tioo,, such ais the rights and duties of
neutrals; the inviolability of private
property in naval warfare and the
bombardment of ports by naval force,
bat goes further by practically indors-
ing the project of general system of
arbitration treaties and the establish
nent of an international congress to
meet periodically in the interests of
peace.
The issue of the call while war is in
progress is justified by the fact that
the first Hague conference was called
before our treaty of peace with Spain
was concluded.
An Epoch in History.
Mr.. Hays letter says that The
Hague conference Of 1899 marked an
epoch in the history of nations. and
that q great work was accomplished,
although certain phases of the general
subject were left for a future confer.
ence The letter ascribes to the inter-
i. hi
credit for preparing the nations for
the conference and says that this
union at St. Louis recently requested
the President to call a. second confer
ence at The Hague, It adds:
In accepting this trust the Presi-
dent was not unmindful of the fact,
so vividly brought home to all the
world, that a great war is now in pro-
gress. He recalled the circumstances
that at the time when, on Aug. "a,
1898. his majesty, the Emperor of
Russia, sent forth his invitation to the
nations to meet in the interests of
peace, the United States and Spain
had merely halted in their struggle, to
devise terms of peace. While at the
present moment no armistice between
the parties now contending is in sight,
the fact of an existing war is no rea-
son why the nations should relax the
efforts they have so successfully made
hitherto toward the adoption of rules
OF conduct which may make more re-
mote the chances of future wars be-
tween them.
In 1899 the conference of The
g. Hague dealt solely with the larger
general problems which confront all
nations and assumed no function of
Intervention or suggestion in the set
tlment of the terms of peace between
the United States and Spain. 1t
# might be the same with a reassembed
s,ff ~ &c
forts would naturally lie in the direc-
tion of further codifcation of the uni
# versal ideas of right and justice which
I'VE call international law; it's mission
& woula be to give them future effect.
Present the Suggestion.
THE President directs that you will
bring the foreign consideration to the
attention of the minister for foreign af-
fairs of the government to which you
are accredited and, in discreet con-
ference with him, ascertain to what ex-
tent that government is disposed to
act in the matter.
Should his excelency invite sug-
gestion as to the character of the ques-
tions to be brought before the proposed
second peace conference, you may say
to him that, at this time, it would
seem premature to couole the tenta-
tive invitation thus extended with a
categorical programme of subjects of
discussion. ltis only by comparison of
views that a general accord can be
reached as to the matters to be con-
sidered by the new conferences. 1t is
desirable that in the formulation of
programme the distinction should be
kept clear between the matters which
belong to the province of international
law and those which are conventional
as between individual governments
The final act of The Hague con-
ference dated July 29. 1892 kept this
distinction clearly in sight. Among
the broader general questions affecting
the right and justice of the relation Of
sovereign states, which were then re-
legated to a future conference, were:
The rights and duties of neutrals; the
lnviolability of private property in
naval warfare; and the bombardment
of ports, towns and villages by a naval
force. The other matters mentioned in
the final act take the form of sug-
gestions for consideration by interested
governments.
Rights and Duties of NeutraIs.
The three points mentioned cover
large field. The first especially
Touching the rights and duties of
neutrals, is Of universal importance.
Its rightful disposition affects the in
terests and well being of all the world.
The neutral is something more than
an onlooker. His acts of omission
or commission may have an influence
Indirect, but tangible-on war ac-
ually in progress; whilst, on the other
band, he may suffer from the exigen-
PIES OF the belligerents. 1t is this
phase of warfare which deeply con-
cerns. the world at large.
other matters closely affecting the
ights Of neutrals axe: The distinction
10 be made between absolute and con-
pitional contraband Of war, and the
IDVlOIqhilffW of the offfrfa1 mr.
correspondence of neutrals.
As for the duties of neutla.s to-
1ard the beligerent, the field Is
Fcarcely less broad. One aspect de-
serves mention. from the prominence
N has acquired during recent times.
namely. the treatment due TO refugee
helllgerent ships in neutral ports.
IT may also be desirable 70 consider
4nd adopt a procedure by which
#tates non-signatory to the original
4cts OF The Hague conference may
tecome adhering parties"
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