New-York tribune., 1907-06-29
DISSENSI0N AT HAGUE.
RUSSIAN OBJECTION.
d. Nciidof Opposes Mr. Choate on
Pirate Property at Sea.


private property. except contraband. from capt
ure on the high seas.
After Mr.. Choate's speech NJ. NelidoY made a
bad impression by making a short statement to
the effect that the American proposition would
defeat its own purpose, the exemption Of
private property would have only the effect OF
rendering wars more frequent On the other
hand. the menace TO private property, especially
IN the case of certain countries, whose greatest
wealth was their sea commerce. would, he said,
exercise a salutary influence nations which.
from material considerations. would avoid wars.
II is reported that NJ Nelidoffs statement was
received with noticeable murmurs Of disap-
proval.
The sitting, which lasted for two and half
hours. began with the consideration of the fol-
lowing questions:
First-Do practice and legislation admit of
belgerent states transforming merchantmen into
warships?
second-In the case of merchantmen being trans
formed into warships what are the legal conditions
which begerents will have to observe?
Thirds the practice at present IN force relating
20 the capture and Confscation of merchantmen
sailing under a hostile flag to be maintained or
abolished?
Count Tornieln OtaIy) and Sir Edward Fry,
tCireat Britain) observed that the principle con-
tanned in the first question was generally ad-
mtted. and thus it was only necessary TO define
conditions for the Transformation of merchant
men. Admiral Roell Holand) recalled the dec
laration made in 1895 by the Dutch government
exactly defining these conditions. and suggested
that il might a model.
AMERICAN PROPOSAL SUPPORTED.
The debate on the exemption Of private prop
erty at sea was then opened. Baron Macchio
CAustria) supported the American proposal, say
ing that his country had adopted most liberal
view on this subject.
Senior Barbosa HraziD gave historical sur
vey of the question Of the attitude Of the United
States from the time of Benjamin Franklin to
the present day, and quoted from diplomatic
documents 10 SHOW that Brazil had always asSO-
ciated herself with the United States on this
question He praised the position taken by the
United States, which, he said was the view of
the whole American continent. He added that
when under the declaration contained in the
Treaty Of Paris Of 1856 the signatory powers
declared for the abolition of privateering the
American delegates refused to give their assent,
on the ground that II did not declare expressly
that private property at sea was inViOlable. Al
most all the European nations. he said, support
ed the American view, and it was incorrect TO
say that Great Britain absolutely opposed the
treaty for in 1886. she wished TO postpone the
question for further consideration. SenOr Bar
bosa concluded by saying that by the orders of
his government he associated himself with the
American proposal
Mr. Choate then rose and made a speech based
on the American declaration in the conference
Of 1899. He referred 10 the different occasions
when the United States had proclaimed her sup
port Of the doCtrine-oy treaties with Prussia
in 1915. with Bolivia in 1853 and with Italy IN
1871 He enumerated the circumstances under
which this principle met the approval Of jurists
and the sympathy of nations, while eminent aU-
thorities like Palmerston, Golden. Bluntschli,
Nesserode. Wolseley and Martens had pro-
nounced themselves in favor of it.
RUssIAS FORMER ATTITUDE.
Long before the first conference in 1856. Mr..
Choate seid, Russia declared the matter worthy
of serious consideration. saying that the
Of Ar77ar T1ri0 riTla TCtI6 he
crown of glory 10 modern diplomacy" His
survey showed that America had followed the
same policy for over century, earnestly urging
in the first days Of its existence free and
Independent country that the principle be adopt
ed. The United States now hoped TO see it in
cluded in the permanent law Of civilized nations.
He recalled the vote Of the Brussels conference
IN 1874 the immunity of private property on
land. and asked that the same principle be eX-
tended to private property at sea
Mr. Choate sought to prove that all neutral
powers were interested in the question and that
the tendency was restrict to it's proper
domain. The privateering of former years was
losing more and more in Importance in view
Of the great technical perfection of the present
day, the speaker said "One might say the game
IS beginning 10 be not worth the candle"
Mr. choate concluded by saying that President
Roosevelt attached such importance TO the ques-
tion that he wished to obtain an expression Of
opinion il by vote Of all the countries rep-
resented at the conference. Mr.. Choate spoke in
English, NJ Fromageot CFrance) translating his
words.
u. Martens Russia) expressed his thanks 10
Mr. Choate. saying that his remarks had greatly
elucidated the question.
Count Tornielli said the Italian government
favored the American principle
The discussion was then adjourned until the
next meeting of the commission. Wednesday
next
n. Nelidoff president of the conference at
tended the session and congratulated Mr.
Choate who, Immediately after the sitting
started for Amsterdam.
The Russian delegation presented the follow
ing proposition relating to American pro-
posaI:
In bombardlng towns villages harbors the
commander Of the naval forces shall take neces-
Esry measures to spare churches, artistic, scientific
and charitable buildings and hospitals the con
df1ion that they are not employed for military
purposes.
Various amendments have been presented to
the British proposal now before the sub-com-
nFtee maritime the subject of sub
marine mines. all aimed at diminishing danger
IN case Of mines becoming derelict. Japan sug-
gests that only mines which inoffensive after
q limited time be used, and Italy proposes that
an apparatus be attached TO floating mines MAX
Ing them inofensve an hour after they get
5drilt an6 that fixed mines be rendered useless
as soon as they break loose.
QUESTION OF RIFLE BULLETS.
Several countries wish TO raise the question
Of prohibiting the use OF the rifle bullets adopted
by Germany, Great Britain France and the
Knitted States, considering them To he moro
dangerous than dumdum bullets II has NOT
yet 2een decided which country is to present a
motion the subject
Sehor Drago has left The Hasua for pars
He viii return here on Tuesday After a con-
NeTsation with General Porter Se6or Drago