New-York tribune., 1907-09-08
NEW WAR REGULATIONS
ADOPTED At THE HAGUE.
Declaration Before Hostilihes =
Rights and Duties of NeutrGls.

The Hague. Sept. THE fifth plenary sitting
OF the peace conference NJ. Nelidof presiding
was held this morning in the knights Hail
The delegates were not so numerous as at for
mer sittngs, several of them having tempo
rarily left The Hague while awaiting a debate
on more important questions. All the Amerl-
can delegates were present The following rules
regarding the opening of hostilities were ADOPT
ed. few countries making reserves:
The contracting powers agree that hostilities
must not begin without previous unequlvocal
notice having been given, either in the form
of a declaration Of war. setting forth ITS mo-
tlves. or in the form of ultimatum with
conditional declaration of war.
a state of must be notified without delay
to the neutral powers the effect for the latter
beginning after they receive notice, which can
be given even by wire. In any case, the neutral
powers cannot protest against the lack OF TINS
notice If it is established that they undoubtedly
knew that state of war existed
The conference also approved. with some re-
serves the agreements concerning the rights
and duties of neutral states in time Of war. The
land rules include the following:
The territory Of neutral states is inviolable
Relligerents establish wireless tele-
graph stations i'm neutral territory, or any other
means Of communication with belligerent FORCES
on land or sea.
Volunteers cannot be enlisted or body Of
combatants formed in neutral territory.
The expectation of provisions from neutral
states and the transport of provisions for bel
ligerents are forbidden.
BelIgerents allowed To use means Of COM
r1uniCation belonging to neutrals or private
companies
Prisoners who escape TO neutral territory.
if ptured by troops, must. after haN-
ing asked for a refuge in neutral state. he
set free
A neutral state can defend its neutrality hy
force without this constituting an act of hos
tility
When tho project regarding the treatment Or
neutrals on hellgerent territory brought up
for discussion Baron Marschall Won Bieberstein.
Of Germany. objected. saving that Germany
could not admit the principle supported hy
Great Britain. to employ neutrals in warfare
when the Laws OF bengerent state permitted
it Germany. the contrary. maintained that
nerltrals must take no part in
on the motion OF Count Tornielli. of italy.
the proposition on this subject returned n
the committee for further study. in the hope Of
reaching an understanding acceptable 10 all.
The Bulgarian delegation submitted tho fol-
lowing proposition. amendment to the
American proposal for the establishment of
permanent court of arbitration:
The permanent court of arbitration to SIT at
The Hague shall be composed OF fifteen judges.
4 third OF whom shall be renewed every three
years beginning from the day of the organ
iZation OF the court.
The first and second renewal Of the judges
shall occur by drawing third Of the number by
lot, while the successive renewals shall occur
after the expiration OF nine years from the day
Of the election reelection Of Judges. the
latter can always be reelected.
Baron MarschaTl Won Bieberstein's attitude on
the subject OF neutrais in belligerent territory
caused a sensation in the conference. and The
proposition was referred to committee by 20
votes 70 2 the United States. Cuba and Brazil
forming the minority. It understood that
the baron was merely making a F.. reservation to
the proposal which Great Britain had been
working hard to carry through. Great Britain
proposed in one article that "begerents can
not require from neutrals services which make
directly for var" while she says in the n"Nt
article that the foregoing cannot be applied 70
persons belonging 70 the army Of belligerent
country. according 10 the laws OF such coun-
frv.' thus practically nunulling the first ar
ticle
Baron Marschan Won Bebersteins annex
pected declaration in a plenary sitting Of the
conference instead Of in the privacy Of a com
1nittee meeting is regarded by some diplomats
here as a master stroke against Great Britain
The German delegate. in private conversation,
said that Germany never would allow the mill
ions Of German subjects in foreign countries 10
be obliged to take up arms for the country
where they live and perhaps be forced TO night
against the fatherland. II is calculated that
there are fifteen million Germans. including
ra+ura1ized citizens in the United States alone.
The Venezuelan delegation was not present at
o.