New-York tribune., 1907-07-01
DELEGATES CONFER.
Triple AIRance for IpUioIabiHty of
PrUate Property At Sea.

Inc Hague June oO--tTonIIIlS Dy tle nOu-
day, the leading penipotentiaries met privately
to-day to exchange views the principal ques-
tions before the peace conference. Joseph Fl.
Choate and General Horace Porter conversed at
length with Sir Edward Frye and Sir Ernest
NJ. Satow. of the British delegation: Professor
de Martens. of Russia; Count Tornieln. of Italy.
and Dr. Krege of Germany. while William L.
Buchanan who was the chairman of the Ameri-
can delegation which attended the Pan-Ameri-
can Congress, discussed affairs with several of
the South American delegates.
There seems to be some opposition the
propositions of the inviOlability of private prop
erty AZ sea raised by several Latin American
countries, which, having merchant marine,
think that the abolition of the right of capture
and of privateering will deprive them of a
weapon dreaded by tser enemies. The whole
Triple Alliance, however. strongly supports this
proposition. Indeed, among the numerous secret
documents distributed to-day in sealed envelopes
to the delegates are definite declarations TO that
effect
The Austrian delegation issued the following
declaration:
The inviolability Of private property at sea
having been the object Of many serious works
and judicial studies is now generally acknowI-
edged that new discussion OF this principle is
merely q recapitulation. more or less identical
with those uttered many times by the most COM
petent and erudite scholars. Austria. taking
TALLY humanitarian object Of this principle
adopted it long ago. 1t, therefore. wishes 10
state that 1t viii follow the most liberal point of
view regarding the capture and Confscation of
merchantmen"
Italy makes the following statement:
Italy being among the signatory powers of
the Declaration of Paris. on March 30 1886 re-
garding the abolition Of privateering strongly
adheres to the doctrine 50 tenaciously supported
by the United states. In the conference of
1899. Italy stated her position. but the pres
ent conference might not be in a position to
take position completely favorable to the in
volatility Of private property at sea. the
Italian delegation express their desire that the
middle course propositions be presented and
discussed"
Baron Marschau Won Biebersten head Of the
German delegation. stated 10 The Associated
Press that Germany's attitude in this matter
was entirely favorable.
The other American proposition. the collection
of pecuniary debts without the employment Of
force. is gaining favor. 1t will be discussed on
Tuesday General Porter will explain its true
scope, but ii is understood that some amend
ments will be presented.
Furthermore the American delegation among
various suggestions 10 strengthen the Court OF
Arbitration at The Hague is credited with the
intention OF proposing that the permanent arbi-
ters here be judges instead of diplomatsts.
The idea that the peace conference he held at
| fixed periods nnds opposition, especially from
some of tho leading powers, who arc of the
opinion that IL VIII De Impossible 10 prearranES
the meetings Of tho conference. which would be
unable 10 assemble and work prohtaby under
certain circumstances az, for instance, in course
Of a war.
From the documents which distributed
to-day 1t appears that the powers are de-
termined TO take this opportunity Of settling
the question Of the transformation of merchant
men into warships in order TO avoid a repeti-
tion of incidents such as that of the seizure OF
the steamship Malacca by the Russians in the
Russo Japanese War. which resulted solely from
want of international agreement.
The Russians, evidently remembering their
later experiences. wish to define a warship
amy vessel commanded by naval officer. with
a crew subject to the military CODE
The Russian statement with regard To
ship further says: Such vessel must fly
war flag by order of its government which ap-
plies from the moment of tho issue Of such
order and the vessel must he inscribed in the
list OF warships In that country
a British definition is more precise and is like
ly TO be supported by tho United States Ger
many and Italy
The Japanese proposition confines the trans
formation OF merchantmen into warships ito
national ports. territorial waters or ports and
territorial waters occupied by state wishing 10
effect such transformation"
The Italian proposal follows:
Merchantmen only he transformed on
condition of their being placed under naval
officer and furnished with crew subject 10 mill
itary discipline. Merchantmen leaving the ter
ritoral waters OF their own country after the
opening of hostilitles cannot change their char
acter on the open the waters of another
state"
The Dutch government proposes that trans
formed merchantmen must be commanded by
! naval officers and must fly flag at the stern
and masthead The transformation may only he
made in a national port, where they must be
provided with a commission furnished by COM
petent authority.
Baron Won Bieberstein returned tonight from
Baden Baden without having seen the Emperor.
WILLS OF GARiBALOI FOUND.