Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-06-25
WANT0N
SACRIFICE
Of LIFE
AMERICAN PROPOSITION
AT HAGUE CONFERENCE
Would Prohibit Bombardment
of Unprotected Towns by
BeIIigerentSi Drago Doctrine
Vital to South America,


Especial Dispatch 10 the Morning JournaI.1
The Hague, June 24-At The Hague
peace conference today General Porter pre-
sehted a proposition on the subject Of the
b6mbardment Of harbors. with the view Of
preventing useless damage and loss Of life.
The fourth Geneva conven-
tom met at ESQ p m, in the hall Of
Knights, behind closed doors. General Hor-
ace Porter, l.. NJ. Rose. David j. Hill. Brig
adler General George b. Davis United
states army; Rear Admiral Charles S. Per
ry. W l. Buchanan and James b. Scott
were present.
The president Of the fourth committee
professor De Martens. in his speech. re-
called the men who worked for the same
purpose In 1899. and mentioned Andrew
White, head Of the American delegation to
the conference Of 1899. whose original
steptictsm. the speaker said. was trans
formed at the end Of the conference into the
best hope for its success. The professor
referred to General Porter's proposition. es-
peclally regarding the bombardment Of uu-
fortified towns by naval forces.
Joseph Choate presented "A proposition re-
garding the enemy's private property at
sea.
The American delegation has not yet
given out the definite draft Of it's PROPOSE
lion for the collection of contractual debts.
This is causing some uneaslness among
South American countries, and especially
after the publication this evening Of the
minutes Of the sitting Of June 20, from
which Il appears that General Porter. In
announcing the American propositions. said:
"rhe United. states will present a propo-
sitfon for concluding an agreement. in
which it viii Introduce some limitations in
using force for the collection Of eontractual,
public and ordinary debts, The feeling
umong certain people is that the words
some limitations show that It is the in
tention Of the United States to reduce the
Drago doctrine SO as to deprive it Of its
original character, thereby destroying the
purpose for which it was ntended-protcc
ton against Illicit European Interference
General Porter, on the other hand, APP
pears to he 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 pri-
waite property Of belltgerents at sea. pre-
scented this afternoon by Joseph Choate, eS
tablished that it is inyiolable. with the ex-
ception OF contraband. but "inyiolable' does
not extent to private property trying to
run a blockade. Andrew D.. White pre-
scented a similar proposition in 1899, but
IT was opposed bv Great Britain and
France. Now It may be accepted, with the
additions Of regulations granting the right
NJ search, the right to remove carEoes sus-
pectcd to he contraband or in case of breach
II bloekade.
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 Wis. the ships to ascertain whether
.. ,.t th. poarcbanufsp carried is contra