The Washington times., 1907-06-15

Although the State Departments IN
structions to the delegates OF the United
States Government 10 The Hague peace
conference. which convenes today, have
not yet been officially made public, II
IS understood on reliable authority that
the delegates are TO do everything with
I'm their power 20 advance the cause Of
permanent peace and TO reduce the hOr-
rOrs OF war.
Arbitration Of Disputes.
To this end. they viii support the
proposition that looks toward the ex-
tension OF the principle OF arbitration
OF disputes between nations and TO the
enlargement of the powers OF the per-
manent Hague tribunal They Will
also urge a freer use or that tribunal
and OF the International commission OF
inquiry by the nations OF the world in
order 70 avoid war.
They will take an advanced position
In favor Of limiting the occasions when
collect debts due it's citizens from citi-
zens Of another nation.
Limit on Army and Navy.
They have expressly reserved the right
10 bring up for discussion the idea OF
placing a limit upon the amount OF
money that any country may expend IN
any one year for the Increase Of its
army. navy. and fortihcations.
They viii endeavor 70 define more
clearly the rights of neutrals on land
an international definition Of what goods
may be declared Contraband. IN con-
nection with this. the American dele
gates will urge the adoption OF rules
10 prevent unjust seizures Of private
property, whether on board a ship car
rying contraband, or on land.
Protection of Neutrals.
Because neutraIs are liable to suffer
great Inconvenience and loss without
having reasonable notice Of the opening
OF hostilides between two beUigerents.
the American Instructions are 10 sup
port motion requiring a certain lapse
Of time between the declaration OF war
and the actual commencement OF the
hghtng-
Recent experiences in the Russo-Japa-
nese war demonstrated that the sowing
OF open waters with explosive mines,
Of both the submarine and floating tvpe.
IS as likely 10 result in injury 10 neu-
trails as 20 the belligerents. The Amer
leans viii support a proposition limit
Ing the area in which such defenses
may be employed.
Searching of Vessels.
Another lesson from the Russo
Japanese war, during which neutral
vessels were held up to be searched
for contrabrand in the Baltic and in
the Red Seas. although the sphere OF
activities was thousands of miles away
Is that there should be a certain well
defined zone. outside Of which neutral
vessels should be free from interfer-
ence. This proposition will be ad-
vanced by the American delegates.
They viii also support the proposal to
simplify and extend the old rules Of
the Geneva conference as TO make them
applicable to modern warfare
No Majority Rule.
In forecasting what may be the result
Of the conference beginning today. it
should be remembered that no single
proposition can be adopted which does
not have the unanimous support Of all
countries represented There is no such
thing in a congress or nations as ma
iority rule. No country would take part
in such conference If opportunity was
offered to cOerce her, by majority vote
into the acceptance of principles to
which she was opposed.
Limiting Armament.
For this reason it is not expected that
the PROPOSAL TO limit armaments. which
may be suggested by either England
Spain, or America, will be adopted. as
il is well known that Germany. Austria.
and italy are not disposed to accept it,
In the same way, it is expected that
objections will be raised to the adoption
of the Drago doctrine against the collee-
tion of debts by force by some of the
creditor nations OF Europe
1t is hoped, however, that the discus
sion of both of these Questions, while IL
may not result in definite action by the
present conference may open the way
to more fruitful interchange OF views
in the future.
One of the rules Of the conference is
that no political subject shall be brought
before II for consideration This ex-
cludes any possibility that Japan may
bring up the question of exclusion of
Japanese .coolie labor from the United
States.