New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
4MERIC1NPLAN F4TORED.
DR.. Choate Refuses to 1ccept Com
promise Se-l4rmQmeRts.

The Hague July 17-Thc vote on the principle
of the American proposal regarding the invio-
liability Of private property at sea was taken to-
day by the committee Of the conference dealing
with the Geneva convention. Twenty delegates
voted favorably, eleven were against the meas
ure and there was one absentee
The vote by countries was as follows Ger
many Austria Hungary, Italy. Switzerland,
Turkey. Sweden, Norway. Denmark Holland
Belgium, Luxembourg, Cuba, Brazil Uruguay.
Ecuador. Hayti, Santo Domingo China, Siam
and Persia voted with the United States Great
Britain, France, Russia. Spain. Portugal. Mon
tenegro Japan, Mexico. Colombia Salvador and
Panama voted against her. Chill ahstained from
voting. The population of the countries favor
ing the American proposal is S04oooooo that
of the countries against it. 7290o0o-D.
Belgium presented a compromise proposal.
but Joseph H. Choate of the American delega-
ton, refused to accept it. saying that inasmuch
as majority admitted the principle Of immu-
nifty. he could not consent to the limitation OF
this idea. especially as Great Britain and Rus
sa had already declared they would not accept
1t in any form This made uranimity mpos-
she.
NJ. Martens Russia} who presided at the
meeting. called attention to the fact that the
United States proposal did not have majority
OF population if China was subtracted.
Several Of the delegates then moved the dis
GUM, Holland and Brazil To this Mr.. Choate
said:
We carried the vote with an enormous major
fty. Having had the whole, why should We take
half?'
Mercy Won Karos- Mere (Aust-ia) and Count
Tornielli Gtaly) followed the example Of Baron
Marschall Won Bieberstein Germany in their
reference 10 the British proposal regarding the
limitation Of ornaments which is 10 be presented
by Sir Edward Fly at the next plenary sitting
SigDOr ha iqfc +a-
Of Foreign Affairs. in q somewhat embarrassing
position He is personally IN favor OF the Brit
ish proposal, but he cannot ignore the attitude
Of his allies in the Triple Alliance The United
States and Spain favor the English views on
this matter. NJ. NelidOf. however does not
think that Russia can support the idea Of limit
ing armaments at present in view OF the cOndi-
tion to-day Of her army and navy a result OF
the Russo-Japanese War NJ Bourgeois
(France) personally favors Limitation, but the
French government regards this question as
academic and impractcable
The British proposal for the limitation Of ar
1naments requests that the conference confirm
the resolution the subject adopted by the
first peace conference, and, as the question has
become more urgent, II exhOrts the governments
represented at the second conference TO give It
careful study
Efforts are being made TO bring about an un-
derstandng with regard TO the British and Ger
man motions for 2 supreme prize court through
an intermediary Italian suggestion, which pro-
vides for permanent tribunal by grouping the
states according 10 their tonnage and allowing
Them proportional rights in the appointment ot
judges comprising the tribunal This court 1t
is suggested should include two admirals. 10 De
appointed by the belIigerents, the adrnirals 10
be present as advisers and not as judges
NJ Neidoff has sent circular note 70 the
delegates complaining Of the publication Of doc
urnents of the conference intended to be secret
and renewing his recommendation Of secrecy.
Senor Matheu, the delegate from the republic
Of Salvador has issued a statement Genouncns
the aggression Of Nicaragua against Salvador,
particularly the recent landing at AcaJutla and
The sacking Of the town of Sonsonate-