New-York tribune., 1907-06-27
TO LESSEN WARS EVILS
NOTIONS At THE HAGUE.
Bombardments nts-Status Of Hospital
Ships-ArbitratiOn.

The Hague, June 26.-The text of the Ameri-
can proposal presented to the peace conference
on June q by General Horace Porter is as fol-
lows:
The bombardment by a naval force of unforti-
fed and undefended towns. villages buildings
is forbidden. although such towns, villages or
buildings liable damages incidental the
destruction Of military naval establishments,
public depots Ct munitions of vessels of war
IN port and such towns, villages or buildings are
liable TO bombardment when reasonable requisl-
lions for provisions and supplies at the time es-
sential to the naval force withheld, in which
case due notice of the bombardment must be given
The bombardment of unforti1ied and undefended
towns and places for the non-pay4nent of ransom
is forbidden.
The German proposal TO adapt the Red Cross
convention to naval warfare which was pre-
sented on June "a says that hospital ships can
not be captured, not being considered as war
ships. Private hospital ships will enjoy the
same treatment If authorized by their own gov
ernment and on condition that they are made
known TO the other belligerent They must as
slst the wounded without distinction of nation
atty and must never be employed for military
purposes or interfere with military operations.
They are subject to search and can be ordered
Dy either belligerent to take certain positions
receive on board special officials.
Military hospital ships are to be painted white,
with large horizontal green stripe private
hospital ships TO be white with red stripe.
All must hoist the Red Cross flag. In case OF
necessity the commanders Of warships can
ploy hospital ships, after having made certain
that the patients have been removed elsewhere.
The protection granted hospital ships ceases
II employed against the enemy, but the crews of
such ships may be armed and may employ arms
In their own defence and in defence of the pa
uents. Such ships also carry small art-
Ieiy for the dangers Of navigation for defence
against pirates
Sefor Barra, representing Mexico, In present
ing at the sitting Of June % arbitration
treaty among the South American countries as
model OF compulsory arbitration, except for
questions involving national dignity or vital in
terests, said that he hoped the work of justice
and concord among the young American repub-
lies would show other countries their practical
views in striving for the grand ideal which in
splred the first peace conference and would
enlarge the empire Of law, fortifying the senti-
ment of international justice"
The proposal presented bv the British dele
gates provides for the establishment of an in
ternational permanent court OF appeal in regard
10 prizes captured at sea. A neutral power
may appeal TO this court from the finding of
prize court.
A German proposal on the SAME subject pro-
vides that within fortnight after the opening
of hostilities each belligerent must appoint an
ADMIRAL who Will request a neutral power to
name within a fortnight a member OF the Hague
Court of Arbitration. Within another fortnight
these two neutral powers will meet and choose a
fifth member of the proposed court from among
their own members of the Hague arbitration tri-
bunal
The German proposal Of June % adds three
new articles to the convention Of 1899 for peace
fully regulating international disputes This
motion establishes that If the signatory powers
agree TO have a special treaty of arbitration for
each dispute they can have recourse to per-
manent court OF arbitration at The Hague.
which for that purpose will be formed Of five
members each party 10 the agreement choosing
one, and the remaining three members being
chosen by three disinterested powers
France presented two proposals for the peace
full regulation of international disputes The first,
which contains twenty-five articles, says that
in differences Of an international character not
engaging their honor OF essential interests the
signatory powers may decide TO appoint an in
ternational commission Of inquiry according 70
a convention agreed by the disputants. In
such case the whole procedure must be in writ
ing although witnesses and experts may be
heard orally The second proposal. which also
contains twenty-five articles, deals with the Tor
nation Of this commission and It's procedure. IL
is TO meet behind closed doors, and the details
of the hearing may be published only II the par
ties agree. It's decision shall be governed by
the majority Of its members. who must all aftix
their signatures, but such decision shaII not De
mandatory. or have the character Oh an arOi'if-
ton decision.
The abstracts Of the documents given out last
night and tonight constitutes the Whole nateriaI
distributed to members of the conference DIS
cussion Of these questions Will begin on Ihurs-
day morning.
ON the most important question in the Rus
sian programme, that of arbitration, DR.. Drago.
of Argentina. has drawn UP proposal that in
the matter Of the collection Of public debts the
debts must be claimed before the ordinary
courts of the debtor country. If the decision of
the court Is accepted by both parties, provided
it is against the debtor state, and the state re-
fuses TO pay then force may be used. Both par
ties. the new Drago proposal provides. can ap-
peal from the decision Of the local courts to the
Hague tribunal whose decision, II not fulfilled
bv the debtor state, may allow intervention by
force.
The French proposal presented to the second
committee Qand war; Of the peace conference
regarding the reopening Of hostilities is strong
lv opposed by the countries relying on prompt
mobilization, chiefly Great Britain, Germany
and Japan.