The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-06-28
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.


has at last got actively TO work. A
number of excellent propositions have
been sprung for discussion, America ap-
parently leading off in the direction of
humanity in the recognition of the
rights of non -bclligcrents General Por-
ter, the head of the American deleea-
tion, proposed immunity from lombard
ment for unfortifed and undefended
coast towns in warfare, and also their
immunity in cases Of demonstration for
the non-payment Of debt or ransom. 1t
is said that General Porter will also
make the proposition, as from America
for the limitation Of armaments, on
both land and sea. We should be sorry
to have him do this, however, because
present to be limited as to her sea
power. We should have upon the At
lantic sufficient fleet to guard the
coast against any probable combination
of European powers against MS. On
the Pacific we should have fleet con.
siderably in excess of that OF Japan
united to any other navy that may be
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China or any other power. That is
to say, we should have fleet on the
Pacific that would absolutely domi-
nate that sea and make us supreme
throughout the whole OF its wide area
and splendid coast line. Until we have
this, there should be no talk from this
country about the limitation of navies
And when we do have it, there should
be no talk other than that our naval
power on both oceans shall keep pace
with our safety and supremacy. We
consider that with a navy of sufficient
power upon the Atlantic and another
supreme upon the Pacific we would not
need any great army. But unless we
have this safety and supremacy upon
tho sea, then we should undoubtedly
have an army of at least half a million
men constantly available. IT is idle
to talk about safety unless we have
strength TO protect ourselves. The
United States does well to lead in the
proposals of the humanities, and TO sup.
port such disarmament as the European
nations will submit to, but we should
by no means, make any move TO hamper
or cripple ourselves
The German proposition at The
Hague appears to go towards extending
protection to the Red Cross and hos
pital efforts during war time. And these
surely should be supported by all the
powers.
Mexico naturally is exercised about
the South and Central American coun-
tries. And quite appropriately. the
Mexican proposal goes toward the ex-
tension of arbitration Those nations
which have no standing among the
great powers naturally wish to protect
themselves in some way, and arbitra-
tion seems TO be their most likely eff
fort. Germany also, in an indirect way
favors somewhat the arbitration of un-
important questions between the ma
tions.
France proposes an international conf
mission, probably to be formed upon
each question as it arises
The British proposition, as was to be
expected from the immense sea com
merce of Great Britain, opposes the
laying of floating mines. The floating
mines set adrift by Russia of the har
Dor of Port Arthur were very perilous
TO ships Of nations that had nothing TO
do with the conflict, and undoubtedly
this form of warfare should be sup
pressed. To set floating mines on the
sea is IN a way sort of declaration
of war against mankind, having no re-
lation to the ships of the opposing
power any more than it has to the ships
Of every nation. The United States
and Japan will support this PROPOSE
ton, and probably it will carry. There
is no decent reason why it should not
and every fair reason favors it.
On the whole, while it is not likely
that anything definite in the way of
disarmament or even looking towards
the limitation of naval or military
power is TO be expected from this ses-
sion of the conference, some minor
points will undoubtedly be dealt with
in the interest of humanity at large.
The loosing of floating mines will stop,
there will be some more aid TO the /
Red Cross, there will he something IN
the way Of added immunity for neutral |
and personal property at sea, and, on I
the whole. results sufficient to Justify |
the calling Of the conference will un-
doubtedly be had. America cannot con.
sent TO the limitation of navies until she .
makes herself secure on both coasts.
Russia cannot consent 10 be always de-
prived of a navy; she has none now
and must build one. Germany is also
pushing her navy with enormous yigor /
France is extending her naval power
very largely. The likelihood Of any !
thing being adopted that will in the /
least affect the right Of every nation to
build as many warships as it pleascs
will not be touched by this conference.
But there will be plenty done in the
ways indicated to justify its meeting,