New-York tribune., 1907-10-05
NEUTRAL PORT RIGHTS.
RUSSIA BLOCKS BRITAIN.
Stay Of BeMgerents May Erceed
ToccHty-fOur Hours.


discussions Of the peace conference, lasting
over three hours. occurred to-day at a session
of the committee maritime war on the
question Of the time belligerent warships should
be allowed 10 remain in a neutral port The
British delegation insisted that such warships
be allowed TO remain only twenty-four hours
in neutral port, even if this were not sufficient
tine for them 10 take on the coal necessary
to reach the next port of their nationality. A
Russian amendment allowing them to re-
main more than twenty-four hours when neces-
sary 10 complete cOaling, although strenuousIy
opposed 10y Great Britain, was approved by
eleven TO eight votes There were many absten-
lions from voting. including the United States.
Germany supported the Russian amendment
The motion was finally approved. with a few
minor changes.
The debate on the subject Of beIligerent war
ships led 10 the decision TO have the conference
honor President Roosevelt. The general com
mission which is drafting the documents to be
signed by al the plenipotentaries after the last
plenarv sitting began to discuss the best way of
editing the final act of the conference Several
delegates proposed taking a model the final
act Of the first conference, which begins as fol-
lows: The International Peace Conference,
convoked in the best interests of humanity by
his majesty the Emperor of All the Russias, as
sembled the invitation of the government of
her majesty the Queen of the Netherlands" etc
James Brown Scott, of the American delega-
ton asked whether it was necessary TO sup
press any reference to President Roosevelt.
Naturally such an observation was sufficient to
command general attention, and Mr. Scott
profteG by this circumstance TO give vigorous
and effective recital of the conditions leading
VI to the convoking of the present conference.
He recalled the circular issued by President
Roosevelt when no country thought, or indeed
dared, 10 convoke second conference. This
circular was accepted by the powers answering
President Roosevelt. who afterward chivalrous-
ly renounced the honor of having officially called
the conference in favor of Russia when that
country expressed the desire that Emperor
Nicholas having initiated the conferences.
Should convoke the second gathering. Mr.. Scott
insisted that President Roosevelt should be
mentioned in the introduction of the final act
a. the caller of the present conference.
Louis RenauIt OF the French delegation,
warmly supported Mr. Scott's suggestion. and
said it corresponded with the desire of many
Of the delegates to find the most appropriate
way of rendering homage to the American
President. VI. Asser Netherlands also sup
ported the proposal, which was then approved
unanimously When NJ. Nelidoff. president Of
the conference. learned what had been done he
was most gratified He said he would emphasize
this manifestation by devoting to it a passage
in his closing address, and he expressed the
conviction that the other delegates would join
him in conveying TO President Roosevelt the
gratitude Of the second conference for his ini-
rative
Several OF the delegates are of the opinion
that these decisions taken in connection with
the resolution regarding the meeting of a
ba pIa
Of September p, seem TO establish a most i'm
portant principle for future conferences, as in
case of dsubt or delay in their convocation any
country would be authorized to issue the call.
as the United States did IN 1904.
The report Of NJ. Guillaume (Belgium) on ar
bitration was distributed tonight 1t contains
among other things a chapter concerning the
American proposal regarding the collection Of
contractual debts. The entire report is a pro-
lix reproduction of the debates that already
have taken place without any attempt to draw
conclusions for or against obligatory arbitration.
n. Bourgeois France) has convoked the COM
mittee arbitration TO meet tomorrow morn
ing TO discuss this report There will be a
second sitting tomorrow afternoon, continuing
with Two sittings day until decision con-
cerning obligatory arbitration has been reached.
Il is expected that Baron Marschan Won Bieber-
stein Germany will make an interesting speech
on Saturday
Mr.. SCOTS report on the proposal for a high
court Of justice. which was also distributed to-
night, IS a profound study of the question. He
begins with the history of the American Con-
gress acting a Supreme Court. according to
the Articles Of Confederation Of the United
states Of America Of 1897. and quotes at length
from the ninth article. Mr Scott then deals
with the present Supreme Court Of the United
States and says:
Even superficial examination shows a strik- /
'ns similarity between the Hague court and its /,
aIIeI!can predecessors. The history of the (
american court Of arbitration is quickly told
III ule essential elements Of courts OF justice !
ana II was superseded within ten years Of its /
.Leatlon by the present Supreme Court, in which I
he Ihe controversies between two or more states I
ar settled. If such controversies arose between
war.
Win full knowledge Of the weakness and un- /
70 natislactory character OF the American court Of
@ ~ a@IplIfaion and bearing in mind the admirable :
ltsgIts ssI "f judicial settlement Of international
ui-iC =. ~ uL1es Dy permanent court composed OF !
~ ~e"lIeu Judges, the American delegation to the :
80. Peace conference presented PROPOSE +
. l.,-. lot the organization of a comprehensive +
o,as composed Of judges trained and expert /
l Al the judicial systems Of the world TO be !
~. - N slgHatory powers upon request with /
80 tue Iabor and delay necessarily involved in /
eacr IH'5ilon and composition Of court for
each individual case
In conclusion. Mr.. Scott saida
w, we acknowledge that the project we pro-
- s'Iii contains some imperfections but all |
e -iT same We hope il will be approved as il is
consequent agreement among the govern |
lnenis Will perfect it
we nave built not only a beautiful facade