New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-15
expedient. owing TO the strength Of German

armament.
This shows that all of the great powers Of
Continental Europe are opposed to the limita-
ton Of ornaments. either directly or by reasons
Of expediency or alliance The strength Of tho
proposition. therefore, depends upon Great Brit
ain and the United States. with the minor
powers which each OF them infiuences-namely.
Spain. Portugal, Switzerland and other lesser
powers Of Europe favorable TO the English View,
and the South and Central American states CO.
operating with the United States.
On a vote. the proposition OF limiting arma-
ments would probably obtain a numerical ma
;ority mainly owing 10 the large voting strength
Of the combined Americas. A majority vote is
not sufficient, however. unaniunity Is essen
tial TO make such a proposition effective. 1t
seems apparent therefore at the outset Of the
congress. that the project Of limiting ar7na-
rnents Is not likely to be adopted in any definite
or final form. although discussion may bring
some educational and moral progress on the
subject.
The attitude of Japan. the only remaining
. great power, is somewhat indefinite as to lin
itation OF ornaments. The Japanese alliance
with England will naturally incline Japan to
cooperate with her ally. but sentiment in Japan
IS decidedly Indifferent to the proposition. and
japanese policy tends toward increase instead
Of limitation OF her armament.
EXTENSION OF ARBITRATION.
The position OF the powers Is more Bei4SI d4is
favorable TO extending the scope Of arbitration.
Russia, France and Italy, which are opposed or
Indifferent 10 limiting ornaments. are strongly
favorable 70 extending arbitration. This places
three Of the great Continental powers OF Europe
in cc-operation with Great Britain and the
United States on the arbitration question. while
the minor powers of Europe and OF South and
Central America also favor enlarged powers or
arbitration.
The position of Germany and Austria Is not
favorable 10 extending arbitration beyond the
formula adopted al the last Hague conference.
as It is maintained that further extension or
arbitration will infringe upon national sover-
eighty. This. however. has not yet developed
into q strong opposition to arbitration
On vote the extension OF arbitration will
doubtless command a large matority-so large
that some definite advance on this subject is
10 he expected.
RULES OF WARFARE.
The nations represented at The Hague are
practically unanimous in favoring the revision
Of the rules observed In times Of war. Russia
and Japan will take an active part in the dis
cussion Of this revision. based the experiences
Of the last war. The United States propositions
as TO declaration of war preceding hostilities.
limiting the seizure OF private property at sea.
restricting contraband. etc. will have the active
support Of Germany and most Of the other mar
thine powers
The British delegates will be opposed to some
OF these propositions. This is notably true as
10 limiting the seizure OF private property at
sea. as such limitation would diminish the effec-
nVeness Of the British navy in time Of war.
Russia, Germany and the United States will be
practically united in favoring a definite list of
articles 10 be treated as contraband durine:
ufne Of war. There is similar unanirnity in linn
hlns the zone Of submarine mines and exclud-
ing them from the great highways of ocean
travel
THE DFAGO DOCTRINE
WINE the Drago Doctrine has no place on the
I1i"i programme. II is likely to come UP at an
lfoI'uhe moment All OF the Americas except
possibly Mexico, are practically united on tho
i@eo doctrine. although they differ in details
european powers have thus far withheld
iihioe assurances. Not one of them however
mas announced outright opposition. some Of
nm notably Russia. have expressed a willing
10 approve the plan II II is favorabI re-
'lher European powers.
me chief opposition win come from the
ao..''' creditor nations OF Europe. While the
NE IN It's original form may not be an
'"''eo' yet II is expected that the discussion