New-York tribune., 1904-10-07


beIligerent navies will be left to fight their bat
ties with all the resources of modern science
and the worlds commerce will be as safe IN war
as in peace. When the subject was under dis
cussion al the first congress the shipping and
mercantile interests OF Great Britain were slug
gish. Imperialist and jngo writer's protested
vigorously against any additional limitations
upon beIligerent rights. and contended that Eng
land as the predominant naval power could not
be expected 10 abandon the right Of search and
tie practice Of harrying commerce and distrib-
uIing prize money. They forgot to add that
times had changed since the NapoIeonic period.
and that England would be under obligations in
time Of war 10 respect the Declaration Of Paris
The British government has been imposing lin
itations upon the beigerent activities Of its own
feet by taking up during the present war the
rights OF neutral commerce and protesting most
eaergetically against the raids Of Russian
cruisers and the arbitrary decisions Of prize
courts Its naval practice in time Of war VIII
be regulated b. It's own Qrecedents and diplo-
macy since the Declaration OF Paris and not by
legends Of Captain Marryat's sea stories What
every English merchant knows from experience
during the present war IS that a new interna-
tional agreement for exenpting private property
from seizure or destruction would be more help
ful than the ccstIiest fleet or the most brilliant
diplomacy IN protecting commerce and reducing
war premiums on ships and cargoes If Eng
land herself we're at war safeguard so oompre-
hensive as this would keep down the price Of i'm
ported food and prevent starvation OF the
masses
The American government as English writer's
or International law do not hesitate 70 admit.
has taken Up the defence Of neutral commerce
with remarkable efficiency in It's negotiations
with Russia British merchants and shippers
have found their own grievances stated and
their maritime rights upheld IN Secretary Hays
discussion Of contraband and prize courts in hi
protest against the monstrous idea that owners
ot neutral goods must be prepared TO prove that
no portion OF them IS likely TO pass into the
possession OF the cneny's forces. Some writer's
for the English press have declared that Lord
Lansdowne himself could not have offered g
more vigorous renonstrance against declara-
ton OF war upon British commerce; and Ger
man comments might have been made IN Berlin
in a similar spirit OF appreciation. The Wash
irgton government. in protecting the neutral
rights OF American commerce. has been vim
dieatlng the maritime privileges OF England and
Germany. France and italy. and promoting the
ends OF civilization It's attitude IN relation 70
neutral rights viii justify the Roosevelt admin
istretion in bringing this class Of questions be
fore second peace congress The Declaration
OF Paris needs to be supplemented with an Ru-
thoritative definition Of contraband and with
regulations for prize courts. This IS one o. the
morals Of the present war. and President Roose-
welt, IN sunmoning an international conference,
viii be IN q commanding position FOR enforcing
It. Not less important is the question OF limit
ing naval operations 20 the theatre OF war. The
Russian procedure n overhauling merchant
craft in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the
indian Ocean and the South Pacific, and IN
carrying harassing warfare against neutral
commerce without coaling stations or naval
bases and thousands Of miles from the coasts
Of Manchuria and Japan. is not in accordance
with the best practice OF modern warfare. nor
with the interests Of the maritime world
II there were other questions TO be dis
cussed. this group Of neutral and maritime issues
alone would justify the reassembling OF the con-
gress 81 The Hague- The President in making
fresh attempt 10 carry out the humane prin-
cipIes OF the Cars original rescrpt. viii be act
ing for the common interests OF all races and
nations. Even Il disarmament be chimericaI
and compulsory arbitration out Of the question.
much useful work can be done; and after the
wars IN South Africa and Manchuria the Euro
pean courts are IN the way Of doing It. Limited
arbitration treaties may be generally adopted II
another congress- De neId, ana aFTaHB HBeII4etS S1i'
be made for simplifying the procedure Of the
permanent court. New safeguards can be estab-
Hshed for neutral rights and commercial in
terests so that the exchanges Of the world
trade shall not be interrupted during period OF
hostilities. and warfare shall ne restricted TO the
naval forces within a limited area America,
unfettered by diplomatic alliances and at peace
with the world. is in a favorable position for
taking up these questions in an enlightened ana
practical spirit: and President Roosevelts rep
resentative character and prestige in world pol
itics win command a respectful hearing for
every issue When the most powerful but least
responsible sovereign IN Europe summoned a
conference for the discussion Of chimerical pro-
posals for reducing armaments and the burdens
Of militarisua, no European power declined the
invitation although no government expected to
be committed by resolutions academic in form
and benevolent IN spirit. When the most in
Auentiai and the most responsible OF the worlds
Presidents renews the call for another Parlia-
rnent OF Man, and suggests a series OF practical
Questions for consideration. every government IS
,,l.elv to reply IN sympathetic terms and to
promise hearty interest and support
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