The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-20
DELEGATES DISCUSS
PEACE CONFERENCE
John w. Foster Addresses
American Society Of IN
ternatiOnal Law.
Believes in Making Treaty
Applicable to All
Nations.

At today's session Of the American
Society of International Law. John w.
Foster. Secretary Of State under Presl-
dent Harrison, and now legal repre-
sentative of China in the United States,
said he thought il was entirely feasible
for the forthcoming Peace Congress at
The Hague 10 agree upon treaty ap-
plicabie TO all nations, for compulsory
arbitration in certain classes OF cases
He felt that the provision as TO media
ton might be amended so as 70 make
/, the duty Of friendly neutral nations
10 intervent without request when war
was threatened, and that the disputing
powers might be required before pro
ceeding to hostiliues, 10 submit the
questions at issue TO a commission Oh
Today's subject was The Second
Peace Conference at The hague
Judge u. NJ. Rose, OF Arkansas presl-
dent OF the American Bar Association,
and DELEGATE to The Hague Conference,
Representative BarthOldi OF missouri
president Of the American Group OF the
Interparliamentary Union. ana JOHh
Bassett Moore, former Assistant Secre-
tarv of State and now Professor or IN
ternational Law at the Columbian Uni
versity were on the program as me
speakers.
Prof. Moore's Paper Read.
Prof. Moore was prevented by illness
from attending His paper was read
by Arthur J. Kun, OF the New YORK
bar.
Prof. Moore's paper was largely plea
for the establishing Of some form Of an
international organization to ensure the
definite ascertainment and application
of the rules of international law. .
He began by tracing the development
ion al Ira
eral principles had been followed and
gradually worked out at various inter
rational conferences ana through
treaties He Gwelt particularly upon the
development of rules designed 10 remove
some of the horror OF war and protect
neuITalS.
The three conventions of the first
Hague conference, concerning laws ana
customs of war on land, the conduct OF
maritime war, and providing for the
amicable settlement of international dis
putes were a great accomplishment Tor
international law. The achievements or
the second conference, he declared, VIII
be even greater. if 1t provides a means
10 definitely ascertain and apply the
principles of international law.
Prof. Moore suggested that this can
be accomplished. 10 a certain extent
through changing the Constitution and
charging the powers Of the permanent
court OF The Hague. so as 10 make II
q court always in session, with effective
powers in certain classes or questions
TO be referred TO IT,
Spice Added to Session.
A spicy feature Of the session late yes
terday afternoon was the exception
taken by S. G de'Amaral, counselor Of
the Brazilian embassy, to remarks made
by Prof. Amos $ Hershey, OF the Uni
versity of Indiana, rejecting upon the
Integrity of Brazil in the payment of
debts The Brazilian diplomat was pres
ent only as a guest, and apparently Prof.
Hershey was unaware that he mad such
an auditor till he was Interrupted in the
course of his remarks by Counselor de
Amaral spTinEing to his feet and asking
privilege to disClaim the statement,
which was promptly Tetracted with an
apology.
a resolution unfolding the Drago doc
trine and advocating its presentation by
the American delegation to The Hague
conference was passed The subject was
discussed by DR.. CrammOn Kennedy, OF
Washington. Judge William L. Penneld,
former solicitor of the State Depart
meut; Prof John 3. Latimle, OF Wash
ington and Lee University, and others.
Gen. JOHN w. Foster, who acted as
chairman in the absence Of Secretary
Root took part in the discussion
The japanese situation was discussed
at last nights meeting and the stand
of the President and the address %
Secretary Root We're Endorsed. General
Foster presided and the subject was
discussed by Prof, Charles NODe Greg
ory of the Iowa. State University; Prof
w. w. WillOughby. Johns Hopkins Uni
versitys Arthur II. Kuhn. and Everett
=. Wheeler, of New York.