Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-04-19
INTERNATIONAL
LAW SOCIETY
Meets in shlngton in First An
nuaI Session to Discuss Many
Important Subjects.
CONTRABAND OF WAR TRADE.
Is II Unneutral and Should it be Pro-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of All Prize
Cases 10 International Court,

Washington, April 1g.--The American
Society of International Law met in
this city today in its first annual ses-
sion. After the address of welcome e.,
which was responded to by Secy. OF
State Root, president OF the assccia-
tion, the morning session was devoted
to papers and general discussion OF
these topics:
Would immunity from capture dur
ing war of non-offendlng private prop
erty upon the high seas Oe in the inter-
est of civilization" and us the trade
In contEaband of war unneuIral and
should it be prohibited by international
and municipal law?"
The questions OF trans terrence from
the municipal courts TO an international
court OF all prize cases and as 10
whether the foECible collection Of con-
tract debts In the Interest of interna-
tioHal justice and peace, wlll be dis
eussed al the afternoon meeting
The delegates were entertained Mt
dinner last night by Charles Henry
Butler. One hundred guests, prominent
In Washington official diplomatic and
social life We're present TO meet the
visiting lawyers.
The opening session today was We'll
attended, Secy, Root was the first
speaker
Judge Advocate General Davis adj
dressed the meeting on the subject of
the Immunity OF neutral property from
seizure, He pointed out the difficulty
that confronted England and America
In restricting contraband trade be-
cause Oi the practise OF allowing the
greatest freedom Of business occupation
10 the citizen, while tho continental
European powers. With their more
highly concentrated and centralized
systems, could easily impose resiric-
lions on tho commercial ACTIVITY OK
their subjects,
He said the abolition OF the dIstnc-
tlon OF contraband OF war would not
bring TO neutral trade the relief from
war hoped for so long as tho right OF
blockade continued TO exist along with
the right OF maritime search and Pc
turo II would. however, restrict the
maritime area In which searches and
captures are made, hut without any
diminnton OF tho rlgor with which they
were now,
Gen. Davis said that England, owing
10 her Insular situation, was The one
state which might be really effective
ly bloekaded
"The bonencItnt operation OF the dec
laraton Of Paris has done much TO mlt-
lgate the rigor Of the rights of maritime
search and capture, and the practise ~
beIliBeren In refTalnng from oSercls-
Ing theT rights m localities distant
from the theatcr OF the belllgerent's
activity has done sim more to bring
Into being such immunity from capture
ana annoyance as Ii NOW enjoyed by
neutral commerce In time Of war, III
is In this direct ton that we must sock
for the Immunity OF neutral commerce
from the helllgerenl Interference In
time OF war;
Rear Admiral stockton, OF the U, s.
navy. resented what he termed z
charge of piracy made by Everett
r. Wheeler OF New York, who In an add
dress, criticised the conduct OF Amerl-
can naval officers IN capturing q ship
load Of non -eombatants IN the Siege OF
Santiago during The spanish American
war The admiral made a strong dc.
Tense OF his brother officers,
Papers were read by Admiral Stock
ton, Charles G, Hyde, professor OF in