New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-17
TO LIMIT ARMAMENTS.
H BRITISH PROPOSAL.
No Definite Plan AdUanced-Gen-
erQI Porter on DragO Doctrine.

The Hague, July I'm. NelldoH, president OF
the conference, day verbally communicated to
the leading delegates the proposal for the iirnita-
ton of ornaments presented to him by Sir Ed
ward Fry head Of the British delegation who
as yet has not discussed it with the other dele
gates.
The text of the proposal cannot be obtained
for publication, but it sets forth substantially
that, the burden of ornaments having greatly
increased the conference considers that the ques-
ton of their Limitation has now assumed an
urgent character
When NJ Nelidoff communicated this motion
to Baron Marschall Won Bieberstein, head of the
German delegation, the latter said that he would
be unable to give an answer regarding Ger
many's attitude until he had communicated with
Berlin.
The subcommittee OF the first commit
tee to-day discussed the American pro-
posal for the collection of contractual debts.
NJ. Bourgeois OFrance) presided and the
discussion was of a satisfactory nature. The
general impression is that even those Latin
American countries which oppose coerctve
measures of any kind while making a declara-
ton to this effect, will end by supporting the
United States. whose motion is considered an
important step IN tho right direction.
General Horace Porter spoke in French for
half an hour. and his speech, which was con-
sdered a clear and convincing argument in be-
half OF the application of the American doctrine,
was exceedingly we'll received He began by
explaining that the American proposition
ferred solely TO contractual debts and did not
cover cases Of injury to resident aliens caused
by unjust Imprisonment, mob violence, Confis
cation of property and conditions of like
nature on account of which indemnity might
be demanded.
He said there was n growing impression that
the employment of armed force to collect debts
would become a most fruitful OF war,
while il the socalled peaceful blockade were en-
ployed there would be increasing disposition
on the part OF neutral commercial nations not TO
recognize such blockade. Thus war must be
declared TO make the blockade effective.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECTATORS.
General Porter pointed out the possibility Of
a Spectator making venture abroad with the
sole object OF increasing his private fortune and
later demanding that his country go TO war to
recover claims by which the country in no way
benefited. The taxpayers OF the coercing coun-
try, he SAID must bear the expense OF enriching
the Spectator.
Statistics OF the last sixty years showed that
in the case OF thirteen large claims for dam
ages, unpaid debts, etc. the largest AL
lowed was only so per cent OF the claim. while
in some cases II fell TO the ridiculous sum of
3A per cent. These examples, he said. should
deter forever civilized nations from resorting TO
force for the collection OF debts not previously
adJudicated by an impartial tribunal.
General Porter commended that neither the
prestige nor the honor of a country could be
considered at stake In its refusal to submit to
such coercion He cited the opinions Of states
men, diplomats and jurists TO prove that the
state owed no such duty TO It's citizens. Lord
Palmerston in 1S4S, Lord John Russell in 1861
Lord Salisbury In 1880 and Mr.. Balfour In 1902,
at the time of the Venezuelan controversy, made
declarations TO this effect. He quoted Alex
amer Hamilton, Blaine, Bayard. Roosevelt and
number Of modern authorities on international
law, and complimented Dr. Drago on his ex
haustlve study OF the question
VALUE OF NON-INTERvENTION
The speaker said that. though the view. y, tho
majority seemed to be that the correct r1,,a ~
international law non-intervention, inter
Vention was legally morally permissible I'm
extreme cases. Non-intervention he said would
be OF incalculable benefit to all the parties con-
cerned-flrst. to the creditor nation as a warn
Ing against that class OF persons apt 10 trade
on the necessity Of feeble or embarrassed gov
ernments; second, TO neutral nations whose COM
merce would not be interrupted: third, to the
debtor state as II would be an announcement to
money lenders that they must base their opera
lions solely upon the considerations OF good
faith or the governments national credit and
Just administration. Under such circunstan noes
responsible financial men would be moro likely
TO negotiate loans on fair and reasonable terms
The permanent court OF arbitration at The
Hague, he said, would naturally have the pref
erence In the settlement Of such claims. Gen
eral Porter concluded follows:
"One significant feature OF this conference Is
that for the first time In history the creditor
and debtor nations OF the world have been
brought together in friendly council. This seems
to be "a singulary appropriate occasion for ear
nest endeavor to agree on some rules concern
ing the treatment OF contractual debts, which
may commend themselves to all here assembled.
resulting in a general treaty on this subject
among the nations represented in the true inter-
ests Of the worlds peace"
Venezuela presented an amendment prohibit
Ing the use OF force even after arbitration.
Russia suggested a proposition with regard to
existing contracts based the assumption
that .orce might be used to compel payment.
plenary sitting OF the committee on mari
time warfare Count Torniel presiding, was
held this morning. After @ lively discussion, the
committee reached the first important conclu-
sion arrived at since the conference began its
labors by approving the draft OF Il convention
providing for the adaptation of Red Cross reg
ulations TO maritime warfare
The clause most discussed was the use OF wire
less telegraphy board hospital ships. This
was finally admitted, with some guarantees.
DTNCTnN