The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-25

vfded into subcommittee. The pro- gram of the first subcommittee in- cuded the questions of bombardment of harbors. etc. the laying of mines and torpedoes and the adoption of the Red Cross in sea war Herr Hageroup, Norway, is President of the first sub committed. and Professor Streit of Greece is the reporter.
 Professor De Martens fin his speech recalled the men who worked for the same purpose in 1899. and mentioned Andrew D. White, head Of the Ameri- can delegation to the conference or 1899, whose original skepticism, the speaker said, was transformed at the end of the conference into the best hope for its success The professor referred to General Porter proposition especially regarding the bombardment of unfortifi6d towns by naval forces and to Sir Ernest Satows proposition on the subject of laying automatic mines. submarine contact mines and floating mines.
 Joseph H. Choate presented a prop osition regarding the enemy's private property at sea.
 Lord Reay and Sir Ernest Satow pre- sented a proposition on the subject of prizes, reserved the right to present another proposition of the definition of what constitutes a warship.
 The American delegation has not yet given out the definite draft of its prop osition for the collection of contrac- tural debts. Anis is causing some un- easiness among South American coun- tries, especially after the publication this evenin, of the minutes of the sit ting of June 19, from which it appears that General Porter in announcing the American proposition said:
 The United States will present a propositio- for concluding an agree ment in which it will introduce some limitations in using force for the col lection of contractual, public and ordi- nary debts"
 The feeling among certain South American powers i5 that the words some limitations" show that 1t is the intention of the United States so to reduce the Drago doctrine as to de- prive it of its original character, there- by destroying the. purpose for which It was ntended-protection against il- licit European interference. General Porter, on the other hand. appears to be satisfied with the work accom- plished and is confident of the support of the European and South American countries in this matter.
 The American proposition relating to private property of belligerents at sea, presented this afternoon by Joseph H. Choate. established that this is in violable with the exception of contra band but "inviolable" does not extend to private property trying. to run a blockade Andrew D. White presented a similar proposition in 1899, but it was opposed by Great Britain and France. Now 1t may be accepted with the addi- tion of regulations granting the right of search, the right to remove cargoes suspected to be contraband or in case of breach of blockade.
 The British proposition on the sub ject of neutral prizes establishes that prizes must not be destroyed unless deemed absolutely necessary The British statement with reference to contraband reads as though Great Britain, which heretofore has held that the flag covers contraband. now only reserves the right to visit the ships to ascertain whether or not the merchandise carried is contraband.