New-York tribune., 1907-06-04
RUSSIAN PEACE AIMS.
THE HAGUE PROGRAMME.
To Enlarge Tribunals Pozcer-
LanguagG-COntraband of War.

- -
St. Petersburg June S-Russa's attitude and line
u action before the Hague conference are now be-
ginning 10 take shape series of conferences he
tween NJ. NelidoT. first member OF the Russia,
delegation. his associates and technical advisers
and officials Of the Foreign Office
A series OF proposals. mainly drafted by NJ
Martens the Russian expert on international law
and second member OF the delegation. furnishing
basis Of discussion for the various points Of the
Russian proerame. has been considered and ten
tstiveIy adopted Whether these will be presented
10 the conference depends largely on the attitude
n. other delegations. Russia having no desire 10 die
tate the course which the discussions shall take
end wishing to give precedence TO the proposals of
ether powers whenever these found satisfactory
Nevertheless. Russia has definitely shaped her
course the various important questions TO be
presented
In regard 10 the limitation of armaments Rus
sia maintains the position laid down in its note
Of March Is. 1905. and. with Austria and Germany
is frankly opposed TO any discussion Of this sub
,ect which. II is still felt. lead TO no useful
result In drawing up It's programme and eIminat-
inF this Hnd other questions from the discussion
Russia's highest diplomatic officials maintain thai
they we're guided principally by by the desire to omit
s subjects which might lead TO acute disagreeents
and introduce into conference whose aim IS peace
g bitter struggle OF political nature. From this
point OF view they regret deeply the international
difficulties raised by insistence a discussion
30 which three of the leading Continental powers
ere uuqualfedly opposed. and which threatens COM
petey change the character which the conference
should bear. Negotiations TOWARD nodus vivendi
ave still in progress, however, and the Russian
tbortes have not abandoned hope OF an eleventh
hour agreement which will enable the question TO
he disposed Of amicably and without bitterness be
fore the conference opens
In its plans the Russian government lays chief
Heighc OF the development OF the scope and
,hInery OF the Hague tribunal and the interna-
ional commissions of investigation established by
the first conference Its first efforts have been Ill
,ected toward opening the doors of the Hague con-
Tention 10 non-signatory powers These efforts
ave already been crowned with success and one
after another the republics OF Central and South
America have signiAed their adherence to its pro
sions for the peaceful settlement of international
aspates Il remains 10 enlarge its authority
lnG remedy certain defects, such the absence
u provision for az official language, which have
seen brought oit in cases before the tribunal The
Increasing number Of cases referred TO The Hague
ior settlement is aulT,s reason, in Russian official
eyes, for wide en!G-g cement Of the functions Of
Hague peace processes.
Russia also regards It highly desirable that
he questions Of maritime and the rights and
obligations OF neUtrals. now so important after
he Pusso-Japanese war, should be systematized.
The Russian programme provides for the discus
sion Of the principal problems which arose in the
recent war. On these the Russian naval and legal
Experts have prepared drafts Of articles but, real
Zing the superior interests or Otner powers ana
lee.ng that these questions may not be of vital
Importance to her for years 10 come, Russia is anx-
Gus that the great marine powers should share
heartily and with good viii IN this labor, and that
England and Japan should not persist in their att
.ude Of reserve toward the discussion
or first importance in this department the Rus
han government considers The question of con-
-aband. at present situation Of utter chaos. with
every beugerent defining after the outbreak OF
aostilities what II is pleased TO call confscable
property. The difficulty OF adjusting the English
and Continsnta! views on conditional contra band.
such as coal machinery. horses etc. is realized.
but Il is hoped ~ Russia that the conference can
work out convention. enumeTating what articles
hail be considered contrabaad under given con-
,itions, and providing international regulations for
prize court procedure, perhaps even an interna-
aonal prize court Of highest instance
4 Corollary which Russia hopes VIII also result
IN International regulation concerns the obligations
Of neCtralS in supplying % 5sL!geTsnts coal and
similar Quasl-TunitionS ot war: ms question: vas
q acute interest ourlng tle husso-J apSnese Waf
Definite rules concerning the right Of asylum IN
neutral ports are also desired.
The first Hague conference proclaimed the wish
that the second conference should discuss the Ques
ported nader The enen1y's dag this being always
always opposed by Great Britain. The conference,
Il is thought will hardly be able 20 establish this
be reached. much as the Declaration OF Paris OF
KS was 2 compromise between Tee American and
English positions on the inT1olabl!ty OF prlyaIe
property cS subjects Of belllgeTents conveyed IN
neutral bottoms
Russia has as vet made no official announcement
concerning her attitude in regard 10 the discussion
Of the TragO Doctrine proposed by the United
States but the appointment Of n. I'rozor the Rus
sian authority this question, indicates Russia
subject Z other powers vitality Interested
willing 70 admit its inclusion in the programme