Arizona republican., 1907-06-29
MAKING WAR
 LESS BLOODY
Various Projects SuggeS. ted h Peace Conference
Japan Proposes a Floating Mine Which Will Wear Out ln Time.

The Hague, June 2s.-Various amendments to the British proposal regarding submarine mines were pre- scented to the subcommittee at the peace conference today. All aimed at decreasing the danger from derelict mines. Japan suggests that only mines which become inoffensive after a linn ited time be used.
 Several countries wished to raise the time of prohibiting the rifle bullets adopted by Germany, Great Britain. France and the United States, consid- ering them more dangerous than the "dum-dum" bullets. It has not yet been decided which country shall pre- sent the proposition.
 After a conversation with General Horace Porter. Senor Drago said he was not sure that he would present the proposition on the collection of debts by force.
 The committee on the Geneva con- vention met during the afternoon. The documents introduced included the British definition of war ship and an auxiliary warship. Senor Barbosa of Brazil. strongly supported the American proposition regarding pri- vate property at sea.
 Joseph H. Choate. spoke eloquently for an hour and concluded with the statement that President Roosevelt had instructed him to request a vote on the subject Austria and Italy supported the proposition. The session adjourned until July 2.
 The sitting of the first committee of the Peace Conference today afforded an opportunity for MT. Choate to de- liver an eloquent speech upholding the exemption of private property except
 contraband. from fcapture on the high seas. The success of his speech left an impression that the American proposition. which in the conference of 1899 was only taken for consideration this time will be approved unanimous Iy.
 The sitting began with the consider ation of the following questions: First, Do practice and legislation admit ol belligerant states. transforming mer- chantmen into warships?
 Second. Tn case of merchantmen be- ing transformed. what are the legal conditions which belligerants will have to observe?
 Third. Is the present practice relat- ing to the capture and confiscation of merchantmen sailing under a hostile flag. to be maintained or abolished?
 Count Tornielli. Italian. and Sir Ed ward Grey. British. observed that ir principle the first question was gen. orally admitted. Then began a de- bate on the exemption of private prop erty at sea. Long before the first conference in 1856, Mir. Choate said Russia had declared the matter wor- thy of consideration. saying that the success of the American principl, would be a crown of glory to moderr diplomacy. His survey showed that the United States had followed the same policy for over a century and ht asked that the same principle be ex. tended to private property at sea Mir Choate sought to prove that all neu. tral powers are interested in t'e prop. osition and that the tendency was t, restrict war to its proper domain. Tn. privateering of former years was los. ing more and more in importance 1T view of the great technical perfection! of the present day. The discussion was then adjourned until the nex meeting of the commission next Wed nesday.
 After MT. Choate's speech M Neil doff said the American proposition 1 would defeat its own purpose as tn, exception of private property woul, have only the effect of rendering war more destructive. On the other han, the menace to private property espe cially fin the case of certain countrie whose greatest wealth is sea commerc, would exercise a salutary influence upon nations which. he said. iron material considerations. would avoi, war. It is reported that Nelidoff statement was received with murmur of disapproval.
 The Russian delegation presente, the following proposition in connec ton with the proposal: "In Lombard ing towns. villages or harbors tn commanders of naval forces shall talk | necessary measures to spare churches