The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-06
InViO|abi|iB of Private Property
 at Sea During War
DECLARATION OF HOLLAND
Debaufert Stated at Peace Conference That His Country Had Already Ad- hered to American Principle.
 Other Countries Favorable.

The Hague, July 5.--This afternoons ses- sion of the committee on the Geneva con vention was given over to discussion of a proposition presented by Joseph H. Choate, June "A, regarding the inviolabil- ity of private property at sea.
 The committee sat under the presidency of Professor DeMaartens. N Nelifoff. Russia, president of the conference; Jo- seph H. Choate. Gen. Horace Porter, U. M. Rose and William l. Buchanan of the American delegation, and David Hill, American minister to The Netherlands, were in attendance.
 Many delegates kept the American rep resentatives busy answering confidential inquiries regarding the scope and consti- tuition of the doctrine. Mir Choate said the American delegation regretted 1t was unable to conform to the decision reached by the president that all propositions be submitted by the end of this week These, he asked to be allowed to submit later. The committee gave its assent
 The discussion of the American propo- sition was then begun. This proposal is as follows:
 The Proposal.
 The private property of all citizens of signatory powers, with the exception of contraband of war, shall be exempt on the high seas or elsewhere from capture or seizure by the armed vessels or mili- tary forces of said powers. Nothing in this rule implies in any way the inviola- bility of vessels which will attempt to enter a port blockaled by the naval forces of said powers, nor of the cargo of said vessels
 W. H. Debaufert. Holland, then read a declaration that this government adhered to the American principle. considering 1t great progress, consequently Holland would support any proposal tending to secure this principle.
 Ruy Barbosa Brazil, then explained that the statement made by him June 2S, owing to the semi-secrecy of the confer ence, had been wrongl yinterpreted as an unconditional adhesion to the American proposition He wished to make 1t clear that Brazil was not the catspaw of lhe United States. but that she supported th,s principle for the reason that capture never brought victory to any one. This had been proved in the case of France, which in 1870 had paid over $6000,000 for having captured an insignificant number of boats. In many cases capture was extremely unjust because the vessels are insured by foreign companies, which are the only sufferers.
 Barbosa Does Not Agree
 M Barbosa said he did not agree with the theory that threat to commercial interests might be hindrance to war. Reasoning like this. he said, would iusti- fy the establishment of privateering.
 Sir Ernest M. Sartow, on behalf of Great Britain, said he realized the ser ous character of arguments in favor of the inviolability of private property on the high seas, but the discussion showed the evident tendency toward the aboi- ton of commercial blockades. Sir Ernest demonstrated to what extinct the lmita- ton of blockades would create new causes of disputes; give rise to fresh irri- tation, and tend to prolong a war
 The inviolability of property and the limitation of blockades are inseparable questions the English representative con- tinued, and Great Britain for the moment does not find the movement toward the ideal aim, namely, the abolition of war sufficiently accentuated, to be able to as sociate herself with the American doc trlne
 What Great Britain thinks necessary to establish" Sir Ernest then declared, lis respect for the interests of neutrals That Is why she proposed the abolition of contraband"
 The German Idea.
 Baron Harshal von Blebersteln. Ger many, began his remarks by setting forth that Germany never had been in favor of the capture of private property at sea. But regarding the abolition of the right of capture 1t seemed to him closely allied with two other questions con- traband and the violation of a blockade
 Germany would be ready to collaborate e in the protection of private property at sea. but only on condition that the ques- ton, how to make this protection ef- ficacious. be first elucdated
 M. Thicharykon declared the Russian delegation had profound respect for the ideas set forth by MT. Choate, but they do not deem the question of much preparatory works was necessary to reach a general understanding of this matter and the Russian delegation do not believe the conference will succeed in advancing the question from It's present status.
 pr, F. Hagerap inen voiced the adher- ence of Norway to the American doctrine. He said that Norway, possessing sea tonnage to the total of 100000 Is deeply interested in this question. and is favor able to the invioability of private prop erty at sea a principle. Norway will vote for the American proposition on con- dition that the question of contra band be examined.
 The Portuguese delegation subscribed to the statement made by the German dele gation.
 Collection of Debts.
 ine text of the American proposition
  trction on uJly l. on collection of debts by nations. Is as follows:
 ''io avoid between nations armed con- ficts Of purely pecuniary origin causedl by contractual debt. claimed by the sub jects o" citizens of one country from the government of another. and also to guar antee that all contractual debts of this nature which are not settled in a friend ly manner through diplomacy. shall be submitted to arbitration.
 "It is understood that coercve meas ures implying the use of military or na- val forces to collect these debts cannot occur until the creditor country offers arbitration, and the debtor country refuses leaves the offer unanswered or until after the decision of the arbitrators Is not fulfilled by the debtor country.
 "Tt ia understood that the arbitration shall be according to the procedure set forth in chapter III of the convention of 1899 for the peaceful arrangement of in- ternationai conflicts at The Hague.
 The arbitration must also establish in equity the amount of the debt. the time and mode of payment and the guaran- tee to be given If necessary before the r. A.