Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17
R|KE or CARRIERS |PLAN A PEACE MOVE
Resign Unless Their Pay is Russian Government Points Out
g Raised. Its Hague Ideas.
Y SEND AN ULTIMATUM LAWS OF LAND WARFARE
the Post Office Department I'm Suggestions That Additions Made
til March l. to Provisions of 1899
rs IN THE BUTTE OFFICE FIGHTS ON THE SEA ALSO
Regulations
Matter Be Taken Up Of Observation-Disclosures
at Once. Other Of
LAWS OF LAND WARFARE
Suggestions That Additions Be Made
to Provisions of 1899.
FIGHTS ON THE SEA ALSO
Regulations Concerning the Opening
Of Hostilities-Neutra1 at Sea-
Other Matters Of Interest.

LONDON. February 16-Prof De Mar
tens. the Russian imperial councillor, hav-
ing upon his arrival in London announced
that his conferences with Foreign Secretary
Grey and other leaders would be quite
informal and that the views expressed at
these meeting would not be binding on
either party, the foreign Office decided not
to make any official announcement on the
subject. 1t can be stated, however. that
despite the opposition of the continental
powers Great Britain will continue to
press for the inclusion in the program of
The Hague peace conference the question
Of the reduction in the expenditure. How
ever, 1t Is pointed out that the time to
ask the powers to include the question in
the program has not yet arrived. This
will be done after Russia and Holland have
issued the formal invitations to the confer
ence, to which will be attached the pro-
gram drawn up as a result of Prof. De
Martens visits to the European capitals.
Sir Edward Grey's Attitude.
When Great Britain receives her invi-
tation Sir Edward Grey will reply, asking
that clause be inserted in the program
to bring up the reduction of the expendi-
ture on armies and navies for discussion.
This will have to be referred to the powers,
and then should the majority oppose it
Great Britain will consider the propriety of
withdrawing her request. The officials
here are hopeful, however that when the
question is formally submitted the powers
Will agree to at least discuss it. The same
policy probably will be followed for the
inclusion of the Drago doctrine in the
program.
The principal points of the program draft
ed by the Russian government for the con-
sideration of the peace conference are tex
tually as follows:
F1rst-1mprovements to be introduced in
the provisions of the convention relating to
the pacific settlement of International con-
ficts, regarding the court of arbitration
and International commission.
Land Warfare.
Second-Additions to be made to the pro-
visions OF the 1899 convention relating to
the laws and usages Of land warfare, in
Guiding those concerning the opening Of
hostilities, the rights of neutrals on land,
etc.
Third-The elaboration Of convention re-
lat1ng to the laws and usages Of naval war;
fare, such as the bombardment of ports
towns and villages by a naval force; the
laying of mines, etc.; the Transformation of
merchant vessels into warships; the private
property of belligerents at sea; the period
OF grace to be given merchant vessels in
which to leave neutral ports or those of
the enemy after an outbreak of hostilities
The rights and duties of neutrals at sea,
including questions of contraband, regula-
tons applicable to belligerent ports and the
destruction ION the ground Of force ma
jeure."
Neutral cargoes in merchant vessels cap
tured as prizes. In said convention would
be introduced provisions relating to land
warfare which would be equally applicable
to naval warfare.
Fourth-The addition to the 1899 conven-
ton of the application of the principles of
the Geneva convention of 1854 to naval war
fare.
Hague this evening.