Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-07-27
AMERICA SIDES
WITH FRANCE
On Question OF Responsibility Of
NeutraIs for Acts of
Their Subjects.
REAY AND PORTER HAVE TILT.
Causes Comment by Delegates as In
dication That Anglo American Re-
lntions Are Becoming Strained.

The Hague, July 9s.-speaking today
before the committee which is consid-
ering the duties of neutral states during
warfare on land. Brig Gen. George d.
Davis of the American delegation de-
clared that the United States had ASSOC
ciated itself with the French proposal.
The French proposition sets forth that
neutral state is only responsible for
the acts of its subjects II these acts are
committed upon its own territory; that
the responsibility of neutral state Is
not Involved by the fact that some of
It's subjects take service with bellig-
erent and that neutral state Is not
hound TO prevent Its subjects from ex-
porting arms and ammunition for the
use of belligerent. Gen. Davis ac-
cepted also the principle of the German
proposal that neutral state is bound
to prevent its subjects from entering
the service of billigerent.
Speaking before the committee on
contraband. Rear Admiral Charles S.
Sperry explained the American oppo-
sition TO the proposal made by Great
Britain to abolish. contraband.
All the representatives of Latin
America. except those of Mexico, Pana-
ma, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Peru, met at the Information club to-
night for an informal talk as to the adj
Visibility of joint action in regard to
Gen. Horace Porter's proposition for
the collection of contractural debts and
other points on which joint action is
II / 4 ms
was present, and said that Argentina
would vote for the American PROPOSE
ton, but with two reservations. First,
unless all the judicial channels in the
debtor country are exhausted, and sec
opd, that force can never be employed.
even II the judgment of the arbitration
court is IGNORED.
All present unanimously resolved not
to vote for Gen. Porter's proposition
un.ess 1t contains DR.. Drago's reserva-
tions. 1t was also decided TO ask for
postponement of the vote on the prop
osition In order that another meeting
may be held, at which definite de-
cisions may be arrived at. Although
some persons declared that the meet
ing was a demonstration agaipA the
United States, the speeches ana tone
OF the meeting were entirely friendly to
thar country.
The discussion of contraband of war
today accustomed a breeze between
Lord Reay tBritish) and Gen. Porter.
which, though Insignificant is being
commented upon In the light of its eff
feet on international politics and as
an indication that Anglo-American re-
lations are becoming strained, while
the Triple alliance in general and Ger
many In particular are daily becoming
more friendly toward the United States.
Lord Reay expressed profound surprise
at the attitude of the United States
and quoted various documents, notably
note addressed by Secy. of State Mar
cy On July 2s, 1857, to the Russian min
lister at washington employing prac-l
tically the same arguments that Great
Britain employs today in favor of the
abolition of contraband Gen. Porter
somewhat excitedly retorted that he
preferred President Roosevelt's more
modern policy to Marcy's Anticipated
arguments.
M. Renault (French) also In today's
discussion freely criticized the British
proposals, which, 1t appears. have been
effectively disposed of, only the smali
powers supporting Great Britain and all
the great overs opposing the abolition
OF contraband.