The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-11-03

the presidents instructions relative 10
proposing a second Hague conference.
The note not only contemplates the re-
assembling OF the Hague conference
for the consideration of the questions
specifically mentioned by the original
conference, as demanding further at
tention, such as the rights and duties
of neutrais, the inviolability Of private
property in naval warfare and the
bombardment Of ports by naval forces.
but goes on further by practically en-
dorsing the project of general sys-
TEN Of arbitration treaties.
The issue of the call while the pres
ent war is in progress is justified oy
the fact that the first Hague confer
ence was called before our treaty OF
peace with Spain was concluded.
Mr.. Hays letter says that the Hague
conference of 1899 marked an epoch In
the history of nations and that great
work was accomplished, although GER
tain phrases Of the general subject
were left for future conference. The
letter ascribes to the Inter-Parlimen-
tary Union considerable credit for pre-
pairing the nations for the conference,
and says that this union at st. Louis
recently requested the president to call
a second conference Of the Hague. 1t
adds:
I'm accepting this trust, the presi-
dent was not unmindful of the fact.
so wildly brought home to all the
world, that a great war is now in pro-
gress. He recalled the circumstances
at the time when, on August "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
means of peace.
While at the present moment an
armistice between the parties now con-
tending is in sight. the fact Of an ex-
listing war is no reason why the ma
tions should relax the efforts they have
so successfully made hitherto toward
the adoption OF rules Of conduct which
may make more remote the chances
for future wars between them. IN
1899, the conference Of the Hague
dealt solely with the larger problems
which confronted all nations. and as
sumed no function Of Intervention or
suggestion in the settlement OF the
terms OF peace between the United
States and Spain. 1t might be the
same with a re-assembled conference
at the present time. Its efforts would
naturally lie in the direction Of further
codihcation Of the universal ideas OF
right and justice, which we call inter-
national law; its mission would be to
give them future effect.
The president directs that you will
bring the foregoing considerations to
the attention Of the minister OF for
eign affairs of the government 10
which you are accredited and, IN dls-
Greet conference with him. ascertain to
what extent that government is dis
posed to act in the matter.
Should bis excellency invite sugges-
tion as to the character Of questions
to be brought before the proposed
second peace conference. you may say
to him that, at this time it would seem
premature to couple the tentative invi-
taticn thus extended with categor1ca
programme of subjects Of discussion.
II is only by comparison Of views that
a general accord can be reached as to
the matters to be considered by the
new conference 1t is desired that IN
the formulation OF programme the
distinction should. be kept clear be-
tween the matters which belong 10
the province Of international law and
those which are unconventional as be-
tween individual governments. Among
the broader general questions affect
ing the right and justice of the rela-
ton OF sovereign states, which were
then relegated to future conference
were:
The rights and duties Of neutrals;
the inviolability of private property
in naval warfare; and the lombard
ment Of ports, towns and villages by
naval force. The other matters men
toned in the final act take the form
of suggestions for consideration by In
terested governments.
The three points mentioned cover a
large field. The first. especially touch
ing the rights and duties Of neutrals.
is OF universal importance. Its right
full disposition affects the interests and
well-being Of all. the. world. The neu-
trail is something more than an on
locker. His act Of commission or COM
mission may have an influence-direct,
but tangible-on a war actually in
progress; whilst. on the other hand,
he may suffer from the exi2encies OF
the belligerents. 1t is this phase OF
warfare which deeply concerns the
world at large.
Other matters closely affecting the
rights of neutrals are the distinction
v be made between absolute and con-
ditional contraband of war. and the
inv;olability of the official and private
correspondence of neutrals.
LAS for the duties of neutrals toward
the belligerent. the field is scarcely less
broad. One aspect deserves mention,