New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-03

gunboat or a torpedo catcher The cost Of ma
uonaI safety cannot be materially cheapened as
lhe years go on, but while good price must
always be paid, the investment should be Judi.
eiousiy ordered The chief lesson Of the great
naval war is that the big sbips are vulnerable
TO attack at low cost and that thew have to be
kept cut OF the way either a long way out at
sea or far inshore behind the land batteries. The
pracucaI inference is that smaller craft, and
especially torpedo boats and mines. are more
effective in actual warfare than the more ex-
pensive lighting ships. Since the torpedo fotIla
is equally useful for coast defence and for sea
battles, IL is sounder investment
The reckless use Of floating mines bv both
Russians and japanese has raised an important
international question which is discussed with
sound Judgment by the English press. This is
the necessity for exempting neutral commerce on
the high seas from dangerous peril. It is held
by all the journals which have taken up the sub
Ject that while the antagonists are justified in
laying mines in their own harbors or the ap-
proaches to them, they are not at liberty to set
adrift engines OF destruction in the high seas
Probably the extent Of these operations has been
exaggerated. Certainly the Petropavlovsk was
destroyed in the regular channel which Admiral
Makaron had been following in previous at
tempts TO make short runs out of Port Arthur;
and it has not been proved that the loss of the
Hatsuse was an unfair act Of retaliation or that
the mines were outside the legitimate range Of
coast defence. What is plain is the irresistible
temptation in a sea war Of explosives for each
antagonist to operate at random on the principle
Of chance. When battIeships and cruisers can
be blown up by accidental impact from a
floating mine more naval force than either the
Russian or the japanese commander. possess is
required TO prohibit reckless use OF torpedo
been condemned for fighting with dynamite
bombs and undermining bridges and buildings
the Russian and Japanese adnirals cannot be
defended If they set explosive apparatus adrift
on the high seas where neutral commerce may
be destroyed. II is not improbable that gen.
eral response would be made from the European
powers if the State Department were to invite
attendance Of representatives. from the maritime
world at a new congress at The Hague for regu-
lating The use Of explosives and for establish
ing fresh safeguards for neutral property in
wartime Privateering has been abolished since
the Declaration Of Paris and the Alabama
award. It cannot be doubted that the time is
close at hand when combined international
ton VIII be required for minimizing the de-
structive effects Of modern warfare.
The Peace Congress at The Hague was ridi-
culed when 1t was held as a Russian moral
show with the Gear mystery man, and at
the outset no european power was either
ious or willing TO assume any responsibility for
what was Ironically known an international
experience meeting I remember that it was
loosely suggested at The Hague that Baron de
Staal should pass the books around and lead in
prayer and praise. while the scoffing diploma
fists twiddIed their thumbs and tried energeti-
caly 10 catch the key. The congress did not
abolish nor limit armaments, nor did it adopt
the American proposal for the exemption of pri-
vate property from seizU.e. but It established a
permanent tribunal for arbitration and it ere
ated new forces Of public opinion in favor OF
peace Large as were the results Of that great
council. it is certain that the cause Of rational
peace has received increased momentum from
improbable wars since the close Of the sessions
at The Hague. England has had a costly ex-
perfence IN South Africa. where race feuds have
not been healed nor Industrial prosperity re
stored Russia has entered upon q disastrous
war without having cause which appeals TO
the religious Instincts OF the masses OF PEAS
antry; and England and other maritime nations
are Istless spectators. since they know that they
have nothing to gain and not a little 70 lots
whichever antagonist may win. A new Peace
Congress at The Hague would receive stronger
support than the Cars experimental council
Recent evidence Of the wastefulness Of military
and naval ornaments. the destructiveness Of
modern warfare and the necessity for new safe
guards for neutral interests is overwhelming.
L n. F.