The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-20
ARMAMENT LIMIT
UNITED STATES MAY RAISE THIS
 QUESTION,
Notice Served at Hague Conference by
 General Horace Porrer-Dele- gates Closely Guarded From Anarchistic Attacks. .

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 The Hague, June 1s.-1he surprise Of the second session of the Pea e Conference today was the formal res ervation by General Horace Porter on behalf of the United states, of the right to present the question of ilm,- tation of armament. Together with this he also reserved the right to in- troduce the subject of collection of contractivc debts by roreign coun- tries. While this reservation was made quite naturally In accordance with a notice served on Russia during the preliminary negotiations last spring, and In order that silence now might not be construed as acquiescence in the restriction of the work of the sian program, it is believed to indicate a firm resolve on the part of the Washington government, after seeing the trend of the situation here. to raise the question later If 1t becomes apparent that the subject is,going by default
 It can be stated positively, however, that no proposition has been formr- lated by the American delegates, hut this action was renewed the hope hat the United States would bring up the question of limitation and has given great satisfaction to the pacifciosts. Sir Edward Fry also served notice that Great Britain reserved the right to introduce subjects outside@ the pro- gram, but less significance is attached to his action.
 Another interesting feature of the session was Baron won Bieberstefn's notification that Germany intended to offer the proposition or an interna- tional prize court to which appeals could be made at the time of mara time of war and the decision of which should be final.
 General Porter secured this propo- sition on behalf of the United States, and Sir Edward Fry declared that Great Britain proposed to advance project on similar fines.
 The fact thA tthe first definite prop osition submitted to the conference should emenate from Germany and re- ceive the prompt and unconditional support of the United States and Great Britain created an especially good impression. Beyond these two mat ters the session was perfunctory in character Four committees were cre- ated, as prearranged, and the rules formulated, except on permitting coun- tries to vote by proxy. The united States was honored by two honorary presidencies, and Mexico, Argentine and Brazil each received recognition. Elaborate precautions still are being taken to insure the safety of the dele gates from anarchistic attempts, as we'll as to prevent eavesdropping. Be- fore the sitting today the old castle was thoroughly searched and all that doors leading to lne Hall of Knights were sealed. A force of twenty police occupied the cellar underneath ready to respond to an electric call placed on President Nalldofr table.
 The rules of the conference submit ted by the Secretary General today comprise twelve articles. dealing with the procedure and division of labors by commissions and sub-commfttees. They provide for the appointment or an editing committee for the coordination of acts voted by the conference. All members are allowed to participate in debates in plenary sittings or commit l. tees of whieh they are members. one delegation can replace another, but members of the conference attending the meetings of committees Of which they are not members, cannot join III any discussion without the special consent of he President of the com mittee in question. Article says;
 Tn balloting, one delegation snail only dispose of one vote; voting shall be bysroll call in rotatien and the aele- gatien of one power may permit ;tself to be represented by the delegation of | another"
 Baron von Bieberstein declared that the German delegation could not agree
  cause inconvenience in voting. The British delegation made the same )b- lection, whereupon M. Bourgeois, or France, in the way of explanation said that the paragraph had been intro- duced to facilitate the voting where a delegation might be absent through force. He said that the objection of one delegation to the clause was sufi- cient for its suppression and accord ingly it was withdrawn.
 Article establishes that Powers may propose any question they please in spite of reservations.
 This article, which, according to re- port, is the outcome of German infiu- ence, has aroused much criticism.
 Article 10 authorizes the admission of the public to plenary sittings by cards distributed through the secre- tary- general with the authorization of the president of the bureau. The conference can always decide upon the exclusion of the public from certain sittings.
 The drawing up of a verbal process of the sittings Is provided for, but any delegate may demand the insertion ot his remarks in extenso. French is re- cognized as the language of the con ference Speeches in other languages will be summarized orally in French by a member of the secretarial- general with the assent of the speaker.
 Shortly before the conference assem- bled the Russian minister of justice telegraphed the Dutch minister of jus tice that he had grave apprehensions for the safety of the Russian de.egates He begged the Dutch authorities to take every precaution. Accordingly ir addition to the presence of Russian and Dutch detectives every time the conference meets the whole building which Is a perfect rabbit warren with winding staircases and small half-hid- den doors will be searched from tor to bottom both at the opening and clos ing of the session.