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

suhooat or torpedo catcher. The cost Of na-
l-oial saIeJy cannot be materially cheapened as
me years go on, but while a good price must
always De paid, the investment should be Judi
ciOusly ordered The chief lesson OF the great
haFal war Is that the big ships are vulnerable
70 allacA at low cost and that they have TO be
kept cut OF lhe way either a long way out at
sea OF Iar Ilshore behind the land batteries. The
practical inference is that smaller craft. and
especially torpedo boats and mines are more
effective in actual warfare than the mora ex-
pensive lighting ships. Since the torpedo fotiIIa
IS equally useful for coast defence and for sea
battles II 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. II is held
by all the journals which have taken I'D 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 I'm a sea war Of explosives for each
antagonist TO operate at random on the principle
Of chance. When battleships and cruisers can
be blown up by an accidental impact from a
floating mine more naval force than either the
Russian or the japanese commanders possess is
required to prohibit reckless use OF torpedo
mechanism. If the Macedonian insurgents have
been condemned for fighting with dynamite
bombs and undermining bridges and buildings
the Russian and Japanese adnirals cannot be
defended Il 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. II cannot be doubted that the time is
close at hand when combined international &C
ton VIII be required for minimizing the de-
structive effects Of modern warfare.
The Peace Congress at The Hague was ridi-
culed when It was held as a Russian moral
show with the Gear as a mystery man. and at
ious willing 70 assume any responsibility for
what was Ironically known as 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 scofiing diploma
fists twiddled their thumbs and tried energeti-
cally 10 catch the key. The congress did not
abolish nor limit ornaments, 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 We're the results Of that great
council. il is certain that the cause OF rational
peace has received increased momentum from
Improbable wars since the close OF the sessions
The Hague. England has had costly ex-
perience IN South Africa, where race feuds have
not been healed nor Industrial prosperity re
stored Russia has entered upon a disastrous
war without having cause which appeals 20
the religious Instincts OF the masses o. yeas
antry; and England and other maritime nations
are Iistless 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.