Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-29
EXEMPTION OF
PROPERTY IS
ASSURED FACT
Only Contraband to
Be Seized
Choate's Speech Leaves Impression
That American Proposition Will
Be Approved Unanimously
by Peace Conference
BY Associated Press

By Associated Press.
THE HAGUE, June 2S.-The sitting of
the first committee today of the peace
conference afforded an opportunity for
Joseph H. Choate to deliver an eloquent
speech left the impression that the Ameri-
property, except contraband from cap
ture on the high seas. The success of the
speech felt the impression that the Ameri-
can proposition which in the conference
of 1899 was only, taken for consideration,
this time will be approved unanimously.
The sitting began with consideration of
the following questions:
First-Do practice and legislation admit
of bellgerent states Transforming mer-
chantmen into ,warships?
Second-In the case Of merchantmen be-
ing transformed into warships, what are
the legal conditions which belligerents
will have to observe?
Thirds the present practice relating
to the capture and confiscation of mer-
chantmen sailing under a hostile flag to
be maintained or abolished?
Count Tornielli Italian, and Sir Edward
Fry, British, observed in the principle
the first question was generally admitted,
and thus 1t was only necessary to define
conditions for the transformation of mer-
chantmen. Then began the debate on the
exemption of private property at sea.
Baron Macchio, Austrian, supported the
American proposition, also Senior Barbosa
of Brazil. Mr.. Choate then made speech
based on the American declaration at
the conference of 1899. He referred to the
different occasions in which the United
States had proclaimed her support of the
doctrine-by treaties in 1875 with Prussia,
with Bolivia in 1859 and with Italy in 1871.
He enumerated the circumstances under
which this principle received the approval
while eminent authorities like Palmerston,
Golden, Buntschlei Nesselrode, Wolsley
and Martensham had pronounced them
selves in favor of 1t.
Russia In Favor
Long before the first conference in 1885,
Mr.. Choate said, Russia declared the mat
ter worthy of consideration, saying that
the success of the American principle
would be q Grown of glory to modern
diplomacy"
States had followed the same policy for
over century, he recalled the vote of the
Brussels conference in 1874 on the i'm
munity of private property on land, and
asked that the same principle be extended
to private property at sea. Mr.. Choate
sought to prove that all neutral powers
tendency was to restrict war to its proper
domain. The privateering of former years
was losing more and more in Importance
in view of the great technical perfections
"Onc might say the game is beginning
to be not worth the CANDLE
Mr.. Choate concluded by saying that
President Roosevelt attached such i'm
portance to the question that he wished
to evoke an exposition of opinion on it by
vote of all the countries represented at
the conference. Mr.. Choate spoke in Eng
lish, M. Fromget, French, translating.
Count Tornielli said that Italy faVors the
American proposition. The discussion was
then adjourned until the next meeting of
the commission on next Wednesday.
Choate Goes to Amsterdam
Mr. Choate Immediately after the meet
ing left for Amsterdam. After Mr..
Choate's speech NJ. Nelidoff said that the
American proposition would defeat its
own purpose. as the exception of private
would have only the effect of
wars more destructive. On the
other hand. the menace to private prop
erty, especially in the case of certain
countries whose greatest wealth is their
sea commerce, would exercise salutary
from material considerations would avoid
war. 1t is reported that M. Nelidoff's
statement was received with murmurs of
The Russian delegation presented the
following proposition in connection with.
the proposal:
"In bombarding towns, villages or har-
bors the commander of the naval forces
shall take necessary measures to spare
churches. artistic scientific and bei1efi- |
cient buildings and hospitals on condi- |
tions that they are not employed for mill |
tary purposes"