The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
DUTIES OF NEUTRALS IN WAR
LIVELY DISCUSSION AT THE
HAGUE WITHOUT RESULT.
England Presents Treaty OF washington
as q Model nbecument-she and Japan
Van Duties OF Neutrals .: he Rigid
Others Nations Plead for PrexlbiItty.
Special Cabte Despatch 70 THK sun.

Others Nations Plead for PrexlbiItty.
Special Cablc Despatch TO THK sun.
The HAGUE, July 27.-The british dele
cation laid to-day before the commission
that In dealing with the rights and duties
OF n~eutrals in maritime warfare a copy
Of the treaty Of Washington Of 1871, in
which England and America defined the
positions Of belligerents and neutrals upon
a declaration Of war. Count Tornielli,
Italian Ambassador to France, who pre-
sided over the commission, explained that
England considered the present a favorable
opportunity for other Powers to give their
adhesion Il that treaty.
The subject under discussion by the
commission was the rules that should
govern belligerents' warships in neutrals'
ports and waters. The ~interposition Of
England with the treaty Of Washington
was received by many Of the delegates with
pleasure as helping to mark otherwise
embarrassing proceedings.
Any Interested Power could nave given
adhesion 70 IT,, because the treaty 10 In
existence. without the assistance Of the
machinery Of the Hague conference But
it's formal presentation to-day marked
the only progress made. The discussion
WYNN WIG u VI - ~ ~ III
which the delegates explained the political
geography Of their respective countries
Hagerup OF Norway insisted that the
length Of his country's %litoral. with its
fjords and inlets, precluded his Govern
ment from requiring belligerent vessels to
leave within twenty-four hours.
Denmark's representative, speaking for
q country placed between two great neigh
49,. -l--1-L ak.S 1A .Lz.l --A
rave obligations placed upon them beyond
their power to perform and he considered
Japan's proposals constituted such obliga-
tons.
Tsusuki Of Japan maintained that war
was a normal condition, the effects Of which
should be limited to the utmost. This could
best be done by preventing belligerents
from using neutral water.
Russis's spokesman, Tchrykor, whose
country's waters are not likely to be used
as a refuge by any belligerent, pleaded
only for the tightening of the charges placed
on neutrals and the strengthening Of their
rights.
Renault OF France resumed his habitual
role Of friend Of all nations and thought
the conference should maintain above all
the sovereignty Of neutral powers. Sperry
OF America ~foreshadowed the American
plan. He said the conference should be
inspired above all by respect for neutrality
and by impartiality."
The result OF the commissions proceed
ings was that no vote could be taken on
any set Of proposals. although the evident
desire of the majority was to make things
easy for n~eutrals during war. as against
Japan's and EngIand's proposals.. which
would impose strict duties on them to pre-
vent belligerents from abusing their neu-
trality.
Tonieili's main proposal on behalf Of the
commission was that there should be re-
ciprocal recognition among the Powers of
all legislation relating to neutrality. which
was regarded as illustrating the hopeless
ness Of the entire discussion.