The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-20
TO MAKE NEW RULES FOR War
ITALIAN AT HEAD OF DIFFICULT
HAGUE COMMISSION.
Must Keep the Peace Between Dreibund and
Mediterranean Allies Post Of Dignity
for ChOate-DraEo Doctrine to the
FrOnt-Germany Anglers Norway.

lot CnOhte-DTbBO DOCJftnc 70 Uue
FrOnt-GermAny Anglers Norway.
Special Cable DtspatehsI TO THE SUN.
THE HAGUE, June 19.-The peace con-
ference sat behind closed doors for an hour
this afternoon. Rules Of procedure were
adopted, including an agreement for the
publicity Of future plenary conferences.
NJ. Victor Bourgeois Of France, Count di
Tornielli Of Italy, NJ. Beernaert Of Belgium
and Prof. Martens Of Russia were appointed
acting presidents OF the four commissions
into which the original Russian programme
was divided.
Baron Won Bieberstein proposed the first
substantive addition to the official pro-
gramme. II will be remembered that Nor
way. when it accepted Russia's programme,
mentioned a desire to raise the question
Of the constitution of an international
court Of appeal for naval prizes. Her
action was due to the likelihood that much
maritime would be carried under
the Norwegian flag il the great Powers
engaged in war on the Atlantic, there being
no likelihood Of herself becoming a bellig-
erent.
Germany, to the unconcealed displeasure
OF the Norwegian delegation, has adopted
her proposal at the outset of the confer
ance, probably because the Kaiser wishes
TO show that he lis not inleIibly opposed
to arbitration on the spoils Of war. Mr..
Fry Immediately announced on behalf of
England that she would support an inter-
national appeal court for prizes. Mr..
Porter also supported the proposal on be-
half Of the United States and it is assured
of acceptance. II will be submitted to the
Bourgeois commission.
Then Mr.. Choate's letter was read, an
~nouncing that he would present TO the first
or another commission the question Of the
collection of public debts by force. He
said he might also present other questions
not mentioned in the pro gramme. 1t is
expected that the presentation Of the Drago
doctrine will concern chiefly the third com-
mission.
The conference has now been soberly
taken in hand by its elder statesmen. Three
OF the four presidents Of the commissions
are veterans, and lest NJ. Bourgeois dis
play overmuch middle aged ardor in direct
ing the arbitration commission Edward
Fry. an ootogenarian English Quaker,
has been given TO him as an honorary
colleague.
The centre Of interest in to-day's pro-
ceedings was the selection of the third com
mission. Most Of the practical questions
Of international policy which the great
Powers admit will be within the official
programme are under the control of his
body. The choice of the chief OF the Italian
delegation, Tornielli. as president places
Italy in the position she occupied at the
Algeciras conference. The European
Governments now accept her as the one
Power among them which can maintain
harmony between the Dreibund and the
combination of Powers headed by Eng
land which is arrayed against Germany.
This third commission will seek to secure
an agreement on questions affecting
bombardments. biockades, the property
OF ~neutrals and legal questions arising
during a state Of war. It's immediate
importance is very great as compared
with the extension OF the arbitration court
or rules affecting combatants in land or
sea warfare.
Senior Drago OF Argentina, author Of the
Drago doctrine, is one OF the vice-presi-
dents of Tornielli's commission, which has
for it's honorary senior president Mr., Joseph
n. Choate, whose honorary colleagues are
the chiefs Of the Chinese and Turkish dele
cations. The Drago doctrine is material
" III III tOhllIlhFlon dtlI ~ IN CAL
that it will be raised in a modified form,
with a serious chance OF acceptance. The
only other proposal mentioned informally
to-day was by Baron Won Bieberstein OF
the German delegation for the constitution
OF an international prize court. This
also an issue on which the third commission
will have TO pronounce,
On NJ. Beernaert's commission concern
i l--l .,.-. NJ. De- l.
one Of the honorary presidents, having as
his senior colleague Baron Won Bieberstein
and as junior the Marquis de Several Of the
Portuguese delegation The only honorary
presidency sought by the Japanese is on
the fourth commission. relating 10 usages
in naval warfare, where their representa-
tive has as a colleague Sir Ernest Satow,
who was for a long time British Minister
at Toxic.
ROME, June lit is learned that Sen OF
OF the Cuban delegation TO The
Hague, whose presence is objected to by
the Italian delegation, is a Neapolitan, He
belonged to the Socialist Revolutionary
party at Naples. where he was tried for re-
volt against the police in 1894, but W as ac-
He then joined the Cuban revolu-
ton and was appointed a General.
He subsequently returned TO Naples and
graduated in law. He was again tried there
for writing a violent article pu blished in a
local paper and was sentenced to six months
Imprisonment, which he evaded by return
ing to Cuba. The sentence was subse-
RENTED. Hence when he returned
to Naples this month Italy did not request
his exclusion from the Hague conference.
but unoficially gave notice OF his antece-
dents to several OF the friendly Powers. He
Is not considered TO be ar active anarchist.
HAVANA, June l9.-No confirmation has
received here OF the statement that
Italy has objected 10 the presence of Senior
Ferrara, secretary OF the Cuban delegation,
~ the Hague conference. Senior Ferrara
to Cuba in 1895 and fought in the war
'or independence.
There has been much talk about his being
IN anarchist. In the recent revolution
ne commanded the Liberal forces in Santa
Clara. He left a trail Of burned stations,
blown up bridges and wrecked property
him. He lie professor Of law In the