The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-11
CHOATE R|GHT on
HIS JOB Ar THE
HAGUE MEETING

The Hague. July 1.-THE American
provision regarding the inviolability
OF private property az sea was dis
cussed yesterday at the meeting of the
committee OF the Geneva convention
OF the peace conference.
Various other propositions were pre-
sented. but Joseph III. Choate defended
the right OF the Americans 10 have
their propositions voted upon before
other propositions or amendments, taxi
ing the ground that the discussion OF
the American proposition was closed
and that even II IL was not approved
by unanimous vote IL would have
great moral influence in inducing the
powers 10 agree among themselves on
the treatment OF private property at
sea I'm the event of an outbreak OF a
naval war.
Count Torneili Gtaly) presented a
new draft Of the proposition on the
bombardment OF unfortihed towns,
based on the American views. In the
name OF the United States. Spanish,
Dutch. Russian and Italian delega-
tions
1t consists of six articles. as fol-
lows:
First-The commander OF n fleet
must spare historical monuments.
churches and buildings used for ar
poses and hospitals on the condition
that they are not used for military
purpose. and which are designated by
special signs which must be displayed
by the Inhabitants.
Second-Before beginning the lombard
ment OF town the commander OF a feet
must do all In his power TO inform the
authorities OF the town OF his intentions.
Third-Pillage is forbidden, even in a
talx 49,
Fourth-The bombardment of undefend-
ed ports. towns, villages or buildings is'
forbidden, but any military work existing
in otherwise undefended places can he
bombarded II the local authorities refuse
to destroy H.
Fifth-Undefended place can be bonn
barded IL they refuse 10 furnish fleet
with necessary provisions.
Sixth-The bombardment OF a town or
village for refusal TO pay a ransom is pro-
hibted
The propositions are considered TO be
very important, as they combine the
ideas OF all the countries interested in
the question. The subcommittee under
the presidency OF NJ. Beerbart dealing
with the laws of customs OF land warfare
today. after a discussion during which
number of new propositions were accept
ed, decided TO appoint a special commit
tee TO draft a new convention.
The German proposition TO the effect
that beligerents should be obliged 10 give
notice OF the formation of militia and
volunteer corps and make them wear
uniforms was rejected by "a to 10 votes.
Ten members OF the subcommittee were
absent
NJ. Nelidoff. president of the peace con-
ference, with Prof. De Martens yesterday
received Representative Richard Bar
tholdt OF Missouri president of the Amer
lean gvoup OF the International Parlia-
presence on the ground that he was the
author of the resolutions In response to
which the conference was called and also
of resolutions In which the inrer- -parla-
mentary conference was interested an!
which were approved by 10000 prominent
persons. representing 15O.0OoO00 people.
In reply NJ. Nelidoff said tho United
States was not constituted in the same
manner as Europe. The United States
had a homogeneous population, while the
many races composing Europe caused
prejudices with which governments must
deal In some cases the people would
traitors. The governments. NJ. NelidoH
added, and not the people started this
work of reform and the present confer
ence would go further than its predeces-
sor.
In conclusion NJ. Neidoff said that the
greatest number of the petitions received
by the peace conference came from Amer
lea