The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-04

H
named made precisely tho same uss Of
Chinese Oeaports a they could have
made VI Vladivostok. BY this laxity in
China's Interpretation Of a neutral's duty
Japan might have been injured seriously
II the two contestants had been more
evenly matched at sea.
Az a matter Of fact, China's remissness
was Of trifing moment compared with
the extraordinary privileges granted in
French waters to the feet under Admiral
RoJEsTvENsKY in the course OF its long
and often interrupted voyage from the
Baltic to the Sea OF Japan. That feet
consisted, it will DO remembered, OF de-
tachments which pursued different routes
but which had the French island Of
Madagascar for a rendezvous. For
weeks the Russian warships remained
in Madagascar waters, renewing their
stocks OF coal, food and ammunition
and repairing their machinery, with the
result that when they started to cross
the Indian Ocean they were in a far more
efficient condition than they had been
when they sought shelter under the
French fag. The French Government
was guilty Of the same disregard OF the
generally accepted rules of maritime
warfare when RoJEsTvENsKY's fleet ar
rived IN the harbors Of Indo-China. Not
only was that Admiral permitted to
secure In French harbors everything
needed for his contemplated voyage to
vladivostok, but he was allowed TO re
main under French protection until he
was Joined by . third detachment. which
had left the Baltic at a later date. II
was, of course, we'll known ut Toxic that
France vas placed In a delicate position
by reason Of her intimate political rela-
tions with Russia, but naturally the fact
did o justify in Japanese eyes her
repeated failure to recognize a neutral's
duty. Resentment at the treatment OF
Russian vessels in French harbors sur
vived the Peace of Portsmouth, and
might eventually have cost France her
possessions in Indo-China had she not
secured through England's influence a
treaty with Japan by which the Far
Eastern territories Of the signers we're
reciprocally guaranteed.
Under the circumstances il was to be
expected that Japan would ask the
Hague Conference to prescribe with the
utmost precision the privileges enjoy
able by belligerent ships in neutral har-
bors. The propositions bearing on the
subject which her delegates have SUBJ
mitted arc five. First, belligerent ships
may not use neutral ports or waters for
any military purpose. Secondly, bel
ligerent ships may not remain in neutral
ports or waters longer than twenty-four
hours unless it can be shown that putting
to sea would be dangerous owing to
weather conditions; the fact that a hos
tile squadron is lying in wait outside the
harbor should not, obviously, be accepted
as a valid excuse for a belligerent ships
remaining under a neUtral's protection.
Thirdly, more than three belligerent
ships belonging to the same State must
not enter a neutral port. In the fourth
place, belligerent ships must be strictly
forbidden to strengthen their fighting
resources in any manne while in neu-
trail ports or waters, and they must not be
suffered to take on board ammunition,
coal or provisions. The rule at present
observed by most Of the great Powers
ia that a belligerent vessel may obtain in
a neutral port coal enough TO carry her
to the nearest port belonging TO her
own country. The French Government
sought 10 justify the course Of its officials
in Indo-China on the plea that they gave
RoJEsTvENsKY's feet coal enough only
TO carry it to Vladivostok. Manifestly
the help which the feet received in the
waters Of Madagascar could not be de-
Tended on the same ground, for ports
of European Russia were nearer than
Vladivostok. Lastly. Japan proposes
that warships o conforming with the
four rules just set forth shall he dis
armed and informed for the rest Of the
war by the neutral Power whose port or
ports they may have entered
Some Of these rules are certain 10 meet
with opposition at The Hague, but we
presume that Great Britain will favor
them, inasmuch as she has naval stations
OF her own dotted all over the globe.
A Bright outlook.