New-York tribune., 1907-04-05
POWERS AND THEHAGUE
RUSSIA SUBMITS NOTE.
Many Nations ReserUe Right to
Withdrazc from Some Debates.


washington. April 4-Baron Rosen. the Rus
sian Ambassador. delivered 10 Secretary Root
to-day the Russian circular note in regard to
the approaching Hague conference. received by
him yesterday from ST. Petersburg. The note is
in substance a notice by Russia that certain
powers have accepted the Russian programme
as originally published a year ago, with reser-
vafions Of two classes. One set OF powers re-
serves the right TO refrain from the discussion
OF questions that do not promise practical re-
suits. and another>set reserves the right 10 in
troduce for discussion topics not now on the
programme
Baron Rosen stated that the formal invitation
20 attend the conference would be extended by
The Hague government TO the various powers
within the course Of a day two.
Mr.. Van Swinderen the Netherlands Minister
here, also called on Secretary Root later in the
day. 1t is now expected that June 15 will be
selected as the date for the conference.
The text Of the note delivered by the Russian
Ambassador is as follows:
The undersigned Ambassador of Russia. by
order of his government. has the honor 10 make
the following communication TO his eXcellency'
the Secretary of State Of The United States:
Before the Second Peace Conference is called
the imperial government deems il an obligation
70 submit 10 the powers which have accepted ITS
invitation statement Of the present situation.
An the powers TO which the imperial govern
nent communicated in April. 1906. its tentative
programme of the labOrs of the new conference
have declared their adherence thereto.
However, the following remarks have been
made with respect TO that programme:
The government of the United States has re-
served 10 itself the liberty Of submitting TO the
second conferepce two additional questions, VIZ;
That OF the reduction Limitation OF arma-
ments and that OF bringing about an agreement
10 observe certain limitations in the use OF force
IN collecting ordinary public debts accruing from
contracts.
The Spanish government has expressed de-
sire 10 discuss the limitation OF ornaments, re-
serving TO itself the right TO deal with this
question at the next meeting at The Hague.
The British government has given notice that
81 attaches great Importance TO having the ques-
Tion Of expenditures for armament discussed al
the conference and has reserved 10 itself The
right Of raising it, il has also reserved to itself
the right of taking no part in the discussion or
any question mentioned in the Russian pro-
gramme which would be unlikely TO produce
any useful result to IT,
Japan Is of the opinion that certain questions
that are not especially enumerated in the pro-
gTamne might be conveniently included among
the subjects for consideration, and reserves to
itself the right 10 take part in or withdraw
from any discussion taking tending to take
a ;Iend which in its Judgment would not be
conducive any useful result
The governments OF Bolivia. Denmark. Greece
and the Netherlands have also reserved TO them
10 the consideration of the conference other sub
Jects similar to those that are explicitly men
toned In the Russian programme
The imperial government deems II its duty TO
declare for its part that il maintains fits pro-
gramme of the month of April 1906. the
basis for the deliberations of the conference, and
that il the conference should broach question
that would appear 10 il unlikely to end in any
practical issue. il reserves TO itself, in its turn
the right 10 take no part in such discussion.
Remarks similar 10 this last have been made
by the German and Austro- Hungarian govern
ments, which have likewise reserved to them
selves the right TO take no part in the discus
sion by the conference of any question which
would appear unlikely TO end in any practical
issue
IN bringing these reservations 10 the knovl-
edge of the powers. and with the hope that the
lRbors of the second peace conference will
create new guarantees for the good understand
ing Of the nations OF the civilized world, the
imperial government has addressed to the gov
ernment Of the Netherlands a request that IL
may he pleased 10 call the. conference for the
flrst days of June.
The original programme referred To in the
note Of the Russian Ambassador was presented
10 the powers April y last year. The points
proposed in that programme are:
Improvements to be made in the pro-
visions Of the convention in regard 10 the
as regards the court OF arbitration and the in
ternationa. commission OF inquiry.
SecOnd-Additions 20 be made to the pro-
visions of the convention Of 1899 IN regard TO
the laws and customs Of war on land-amOng
others. those concerning the opening Of hos
tilities, the rights Of neuirals on land. etc.
One OF the declarations Of 1899 having expired.
the question Of its being revived
T'hird-Framng of a convention in regard to
the laws and customs of maritime warfare, con-
cerning the special operations OF maritime
fare, such the bombardment of ports. cities
and villages by naval force. the laying Of tor
Dedoes. etc; the transformation Of merchant
vessels into warshps; the private property Of
belligerents at sea; the length Of time 10 be
granted 10 merchant ships for their departure
from ports Of neutrals or Of the enemy after the
opening OF hostities the rights and duties Of
neutrals al sea among others the questions Of
contraband, the rules applicable to belligerent
vessels IN neutral ports. and the destruction. In
cases Of Wis major Of neutral merchant vessels
captured as prizes. In the said convention TO be
drafted there would be introduced the provisions
relative to land that would be also
applicable TO maritime warfare
Fourth-AdditiOhs to be made TO the conven-
tiOn Of 1929 for the adaptation TO maritime war
fare Of the principles OF the Geneva convention
OF 1864.