The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-11-03

Washington. Special.-In a circular
noae. Secretary Hay has carried out
the presidents instructions relative TO
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 reutrais, 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-
tenn of arbitration treaties.
The issue of the call while the pres
ent war is in progress is justihed by
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:
| "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
| 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 ar
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 Whlcf
may make more remote the chances
for future wars between them. IL
1899. the conference of the Hagu
dealt solely with the larger problem
which confronted all nations, and as
sumed no function of Intervention o
suggestion in the settlement of tn
terms of peace between the Unite
States and Spain. 1t might be tn
same with a re-assembled conferenc
at the present time. Its efforts woul
naturally lie in the direction OF furthe
codification of the universal ideas q
right and justice, which we call inter
national law; its mission would be t
give them future effect.
"The president directs that you wi
bring the foregoing considerations t
. the attention of the minister of fol
eign affairs of the government I
,, which you are accredited and, IN Oil:
Greet conference with him, ascertain
what extent that government is di'
posed to act in the matter.
l Should bis excellency invite sugge:
: ton as to the character OF question
{ to be brought before the propose
| ~
to him that, at this time it would see
premature to couple the tentative inv
tation thus extended with a categoric
programme Of subjects of discussio
II IS only by comparison of views tn
a general accord can be reached as
> the matters to be considered by Il
u new conference. 1t is desired that
the formulation of a programme T
- distinction should be kept clear o
II tween the matters which Belong
the province of international law Al
those which are unconventional as
le tween individual governments. Amo
the broader general questions ane'
=. ing the right and justice OF the rel
~ ton OF sovereign states. which We
then relegated to future conreren
were:
"The rights and duties OF neutral
I. the inviolability Of private proper
m in naval warfare; and the bompal
h ment of ports. towns and villages BY
naval force. The other matters mt
le TONED in the final act take the TO
at of suggestions for consideration by
as terested governments.
~ .The three points, mentioned cove
large field. The first, especially tou
," inc the rights and duties OF neutr,
oil IS of universal importance. Its rig
n full disposition affects the interests
in well-being of all the world. The
as tral is something more than an
he locker. His act of ommision or cf
ed | mission may have an infiuence-dir
ow but tangible-on a war actually
Der nrogress: whilst. on the other hs
he NAV suffer from the exigencies
the bellige.ents. It Is fhfs phase
warfare which deeply concerns
world at large.
re- "Other matters closely affecting
ers rights OF neutrals are the distinc
to he made between absolute ana
ditional contraband OF war. ana
ae inviolability of the official and pri
les. correspondence of neutrals.
the "As for the duties OF neutrais tos
left the belligerent. the field is scarcely
mn broad. One aspect deserves mem
The from the prominence it has acqu
ave during recent times; namely.
een treatment due to refugee beilige
ships in neutral Prsss.