The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-25
NATIONS PLAN FOR
PEACE ON EARTH
President Roosevelt Leads in an
Effort to Get Results at Next
Peace Conference.
America Will Insist on Stricter
Interpretation of the Neu-
trality Laws.
Journal Special Service.

Journal Special Service. ,.az.v-7
Washington, Dec. 25.-It is one of
the pleasant features Of the present
yuletide that the thoughts Of thirty
nine governments Of the world are
turned towards peace and the ameliora'
ton of the horrors Of war.
Russia s internal condition is monop.
olizing the attention Of the De Witte
cabinet to such an extent that the pre-
mier finds himself handicapped in ad
vancing to conclusion the preliminary
measures for The Hague conference,
which the car called last September,
President Roosevelt, who was the real
originator Of the second movement In
the interests of civilization is display
ing, therefore, a larger role in the nego.
tiations which the powers are conduct
ing with relation to the time OF meeting
and the program.
Choate as Chairman.
Already, In the hope Of inducing
other powers to act, the president has
announced the selection Of Joseph II.
Choate, former ambassador to Great
Britain, as chairman Of the new COM
mission. David j.. Jayne Hill, minister
to the Netherlands, will be a member
of the commission. A third civilian
iurist of international repute, will be
named anu tuo coMlulSSAoA WILL No GULL
pleted by the appointment Of naval
and military member, probably Admiral
Dewey, If he will accept, or, failing
Admiral Dewey, Captain Alfred 7.
Mahan and General William Crozier
chief of ordnance Of the army. 1t Is
a commission that is sure to inspire
as sincere respect as the cor sslon
headed by former Ambassador drew
D. White, which represented the United
States at the first Hague conference
America Plans. p
The president and Secretary Root
have talked over the matters this gov
eminent especially would like the con
ference to pass upon. The efforts OF the
conference are expected TO he IN t ~
universal ideas Of right and Justice,
known to the world as international
law. and it's mission will be to give them
future effect. The presi dent wishes the
conference particularly to determine tne
ripht and duties Of neutrals, declare
| ali private property at sea, not
contraband Of war, exempt from capture
or destruction by belliger!ents,, and Tor,
bid the bombardment OF ports' to"ns
and villages by naval FORCES; .a.4,
! The first Of these points, the r1gnts
and duties Of neutrals, is of Importance
to the entire world. The experience
of the war between Russia and Japan
90 If that between the United States
and Spain, established that the acts OF
commission as we'll as Of omission OF q
nentral had a direct influence upon the
progress Of the war.
frances Violation Of Law. t..
France, for instance, failed to order
the fleet of Rojestvensky. from he1
waters at Madagascar and Tonquin
China. In this case japan 8 victory
prevented the evil effects from the com
plaisance of Russia g ally. But it il
easy to understand that If the Russian
fleet had been strong, Japan today
would be a Inundated nation. 1t i
likely, therefore, that every effort will
be made to- secure uniform rules o.
neutrality. The French code does not
place a limit upon the time belliger
code of the United States and othe
nations fixes this limit at twenty-fou:
hours.
But this feature of the conference
while important in respect to hostil
operations, is Of less consequence along
side the question of the distinction t
be made between absolute and condi
i tional contraband Of war and the invio
liability of the official and private cor
respondence Of neutrals.
The president also will want to OK
pand his principle Of arbitration prac
tically to all disputes save those involv
, ing the honor Of a nation, and these
! he holds, should be limited in som
. practical way. He will urge genera
arbitration treaty.