New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-17
PROGRAMME FOR HAGUE
England to Urge Discussion of Re
ductiOn of ornaments.

London Feb. 16-M Martens. the Russian
1r,periaI Councillor of state. having on his ar
rival in England announced that his CONFER
ences with Sir Edward Grey. Foreign oec'e
tary. and other leaders would be lhloril'"i "'io
that the views expressed at these h'eetIhS'
would not he binding on either party, the for-
eign Ofioe decided not to make any oh1cial an
nounCement on the subject. II can DC s'''O'
however that despite the opposition Oh 'he I'm
tinental powers Great Britain VIII continue 10
Drass for the inclusion in the programme of the
Hague Peace Conference the question OF the re-
duction of expenditures on the armies and naVies
of the world.
While some of the members of the CABINET
would like to 90 even further and bring up the
subject of disarmament the majority believe
that this would be futile and possibly endahSer
the less radical policy of n reduction in the eN-
penditures However, it is pointed out that the
time to ask the powers to include the question
in the programme has not yet arrived. Il'lS
will be done after Russia and Holland nave
issued formal invitations to the conference, To
which will be attached the programme drawn
IN as a result of NJ. Martenss visits to the
European capitals
When Great Britain receives her invitation
Sir Edward Grey will reply. asking that a
clause be inserted TO bring up the reduction Oh
the expenditures on armies and navies Tor dis
cussion This will have to be referred TO the
mowers and them should the majority oppose
it. Great Britain will consider the propriety or
the withdrawal of her request. The officials
here are hopeful however that when the ques-
ton is formally submitted the powers viii agree
at least to discuss it. The same policy probably
will be followed for the inclusion Of the DraSo
Doctrine in the programme
The principal points Of the programme drafted
by the Russian government for the consideration
of the peace conference are as follows;
First-Inprovement to be introduced in the
provisions of the convention relating TO the pa
Cffc settlement of international conflicts regard
ing the court of arbitration and international
commissions of inquiry.
Second-Additions to be made to the provi-
sions of the convention of 1899 relating to the
laws and usages of land warfare. including those
concerning the opening of hoStihueS, the rights
Of neutrals on land. etc
Third-The elaboration of a convention re-
lating TO the laws and uSageS II naval warfare,
dealing with the specific operations or naval
warfare, such as the bOmbardment or ports
towns and villages by naval force; the laying
of mines, etc; the transformation OF merchant
vessels into warships. the private property OF
belligerents at sea- the period OF grace 10 be
given merchant vessels IN which to leave neutral
ports or those of the enemy after an outbreak
Of hostilities: the rights and duties OF neurals
at sea- including questions of Contraband, regu-
lations applicable TO belhgerent ports and the
destruction ION the ground of force ma1eure' OF
neutral cargoes in merchant vessels captured as
prizes. In said convention would be introduced
provisions relating 10 land warfare which would
be equally applicable to naval warfare.
Fourth-The addition to the convention OF 1893
Of the application Of the principles of the Geneva
Convention of 1864 TO naval warfare.
NJ Martens left London for The Hague this
evening.