The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-08
Less Encouraging News From The
Hague.

n we NAV trust the recent kilograms
from The Hague homo Of the important
proposals submitted TO the Peace Confer
enoe Ia likely to meet with the approval
Of all the Powers represented, although
some may secure the assent Of a major
ity. Unfortunately, unanimity ia essen
tial 10 the incorporation Of innovations
in the law Of nations.
When Mr.. CHoATE in an impressive
speech before a committee Of the CON-
ference advocated the exemption Of the
private property of belligerents from
capture at sea, NJ. NELIDoFF, the pres
ident, unexpectedly replied that such
exemption might have an effect the
opposite of that which its advocates must
be presumed TO contemplate, because it
would eliminate n OF the strongest OF
the existing deterrents from war. The
Cars chief spokesman has since been
prevented by illness from defining more
distinctly Russia's position on the ques-
ton, but il is understood that the views
Of which he gave an intimstion are held
also by his colleague, Professor DE MAR
TENS. 1t is said that when the subject
ONE up for discussion in the committee
OF the conference both Germany and
japan will side with Russia.
Il cannot, Of course, be denied that by
developing 20 . remarkable extent her
mercantile marine, her export Of native
manufactures and her carrying
trade Germany has given hostages to
fortune. In 1870 Germany had but little
to lose At the hands Of a hostile navy.
Now, on the contrary, the value Of her
sea borne commerce which q war would
put in jeopardy is immense. Powerful
interests and strong sentiments would
consequently be enlisted in the effort to
avert hostilities with any naval Power Of
the first or sven the second class, so long
a the private property Of German SUBJ
jects should remain liable to capture and
oonhscation in time of war. Extinguish
the liability and such influences would
cease to operate. Such a state Of things
Emperor WILLIAM nno desire if he
sinoerely wishes for peace.
What IL true OF Germany lie true in a
lesser degree Of Japan. The Japanese
mercantile marine cannot, OF course, be
compared with that Of the German
Empire, yet it has undergone notable
expansion in the lastdozen years and IAN
not but exercise a restraining influence
on the lingo spirit that 10 apt TO be a
sequel OF successful war. We can we'll
believe, therefore, that the Toxic Gov
eminent, which we have no doubt really
wants TO maintain peace with all the
world, may feel the need Of the support
OF exporters and ship owners, which it
might lose il their property should be
relieved from risk in war time.
AS for the compromise said TO have
been put forward by an English dele
gate In a suggestion that the ships and
cargoes and other private property of
the citizens or subjects Of a belliserent
Power should be exempt at sea from
destruction or conrscation but not from
capture and detention. it has no chance
OF adoption. II is obvious that the con-
veyance OF prizes 10 a port belonging to
the captor's country would prove intol-
erably announcement to any b~elligerent
except Great Britain, which alone OF the
Powers possesses harbors in every quar-
ter Of the globe.
Whether the Drago doctrine will be
presented as 1t was originally formu-
lated by rs author or IN a modified shape
is not yet known. According to a tele-
gram from Buenos Ayres the Argentine
Government has not authorized DR..
DRAoo, its principal delegate, to accept
any notifications. A report is current,
nevertheless, that the conference will be
asked by the representatives Of the