The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-22
SECOND PEACE CONFERENCE.
SUBJECTS THIS GOVERNMENT
MAY BRING UP.

" sNlDUlAuch THAI IL SnAu nANc nc WiXNt
10 Propose for Discussion the Limi-
tation Of Armament and the Drage
Doctrine Private Property At sea.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-In accepting the
tentative programme suggested by the
Russian Government for the second peace
conference at The Hague the United
States Government has stipulated that
IL shall nave the right to propose for dis
cussion the question Of the limitation Of
armament by the Powers and the matter
Of the Drago doctrine. 1t was expected
that this country would take the initiative
with regard to the Drago doctrine, which
involves the right TO collect debts by force,
but it has not been known that the Ameri-
can Government intended to bring up TIE
matter OF disarmament. On the contrary,
IL was believed that this momentous ques-
ton would be left TO some Of the European
Powers which are more vitality Interested
than the United States.
Any scheme for the limitation Of military
forces would not affect the United States,
inasmuch as the Regular army on a peace
footing numbers only 1900 men. II some
tangible conclusion. therefore, should be
reached, this country would not be affected,
IN ~ vOuNu " ihhPtootoAo W ~ PAC"
ent size OF the army; Germany, for in
stance, win her hundreds OF thousands OF
soldiers in the regular military establish
ment. is keenly interested. and it Is ex-
| pected will oppose the discussion Of the
question. II il not certain. however, that
| this Government will actually bring the
question forward at the conference. There
has been already, it is understood. some
opposition to the implied suggestion made
by the United States that this question be
brought up for discussion, but from what
| nations the objections come is not disclosed.
Another proposition which has been put
forward by this Government which was not
specifically set forth in the programme
prepared by Russia concerns the i'm
munity from attack n capture OF private
property on the sea. IL Is an accepted prac-
tice of war that the merchant vessels flying
the flag OF a ~belligerent are the legitimate
prey OF the enemy, although the traditional
policy Of the United States has been to up
hold III ~inviolability OF private property
in AVA warfare. There is a most earnest
desire, however, OF the part OF most nations
to afford protection TO neutral ships. In
recent war the zones Of hostilities on the
seas have been closed to commerce. The
United States desires that there be no in
reference with the commerce OF neutrals
and that their ships be allowed to go their
way unmolested, unless, OF course, they
are carrying supplies Intended for the
enemy.
IL is understood that Great Britain does
not desire TO change the rules Of war con-
corning private property on the seas. h
British Government holds that those al
fected by the present rules are large COM
mercial interests which have vast influence
with their respective Governments and
which can do much to prevent conflict.
These commercial interests, ii il contended,
should do this If il were knowntn advance
that their ships might be lost TO the enemy,
whereas II the property OF such interests
were immune the good influence would
not be directed toward preventing war.
This view, however, is not accepted by
other nations, some OF which at least
believe that Great Britain's action in OBJ
jecting to a change OF international laws
on this point is really due to her confidence
that her great navy can ably protect the
commerce Of the country. r. gland there
fore naturally desires, it is held, that there
he no change, because IL would work to the
advantage OF other nations to a much greater
degree than to that Of Great Britain. Those
in favor Of giving protection to private
property at sea point to the fact OF the
protection now afforded TO private property
on land.
Another important question which will
come before the conference concerns wire
less telegraphy. Since the last Hague
convention the Use Of wireless has been
greatly developed and some International
understanding as TO its use during hostiities
is regarded as necessary. The point in
volved is whether the use Of wireless teleg-
raphy in a neutral country Is an invasion
Of its sovereignty. 1t is very probable
/ that the conference will decide that the
use Of the wireless is perfectly legitimate.
The development of dirigible balloons
and other craft of the air presents another
question for confederation. The first Hague
conference made rules prohibiting the
dropping of explosive projectiles from the
air, but this agreement expired two years
e
The recent war between Russia and Japan
brought up a number Of problems which
can be solved only by the peace conference.
One OF them concerns the use of merchant
vessels as warships. In the recent war Rus
STA sent a number of merchant ships throu gh
the D~ardanelles from the Black Sea. These
ships engaged in searching neutral vessels
in the Red Sea TO ascertainif they we're carry
ing contraband of war TO the japanese.
This WAS stopped when neutral nations
protested. An attempt will be made TO
reach a definition on the point involved.
IL is held by some that a ship cannot have
a double identity, and II used for hostile
purposes should be regularly commissioned
and own TO be of q belligerent nature.