The sun., 1908-02-28

IN THREE or WHICH OUR DELE
GATES DIDN'T CONCUR.

Many Provisions Relate To the Conduct Of
NatlOns at war ar Elkely TO 60 TO War
Important Amendments Made In
the Arbitration Convention Of 1900.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.--President Roose-
welt sent 10 the Senate to-day authenticated
copies Of thirteen treaties and one declara-
tion adopted by the Hague Peace Con-
ference last summer. OF these thirteen
conventions ten were signed by the Ameri-
can delegation and are now submitted to
the Senate for ratification. The three In
which the American delegates did not con-
cur relate to the treatment Of the enemy's
merchant ships at the outbreak Of hostili-
ties, the conversion OF merchant ships
into ships of war. and to the fights and
duties Of neutral Powers in war.
In the dcte irdle adopted by the con-
ference the American delegation made a
reservation in regard to an expression OF
the views Of the conference respecting
compulsory arbitration. This reservation
was made because the delegates regarded
the expression in favor Of compulsory
arbitration as a mere expression Of opinion
which was not accompanied by any sub
stantial treaty. The declaration signed
by the American delegation and submitted
to the Senate along with the thirteen treaties
related TO the launching Of projectiles from
balloons and airships
The treaties were accompanied by a
letter Of transmittal written by Secretary
Of State Root and the report Of the American
delegates by DIR. James Brown Scott, So
licltor Of the State Department.
The thirteen treaties ADOPTED by the
conference are as follows:
For the pacific settlement Of international
conflicts. being an amendment Of the CORE
spending agreement of July 20. 1899.
Relative To the discovery of contractuAl
debts
Relative to the opening Of hostilities.
Concerning the laws and customs Of war
on land.
Concerning the rights and duties Of neutral
States and individuals in land warfare.
Regarding the treatment Of the cnemy's
merchant ships at the outbreak Of hOstilities.
Regarding the transformation Of merchant
ships into vessels of war.
In regard to the placing Of submarine
mines.
Concerning the bombardment Of unde-
Tended towns by naval forces
For the adaptation Of the principles Of the
Geneva convention 10 maritime warfare.
Imposing certain restrictions upon the
right Of capture in maritime war
international prize court.
Defining the rights and duties Of neutral
States in maritime war
The clauses Of the arbitration convention
Of 1899 were materially amended by tho last
conference. Thirty-two new articles were
added. twenty eight of which relate TO the
international commission Of inquiry, and
which embody the results Of experience
gained IN the operations Of that tribunal
especially that contained from the Dogger
bank incident The convention i'm regard
TO the recovery Of cOntra"tual debts was
especially urged by tho American delega-
ton, and vigorously supported by the south
and Central American delegates who we're
the chief benefciaries Of the undertaking
The treaty establishing an international
prize court Of appeal was suggested by
Germany and supported 10y the American
delegation. The treaty regarding the rules
of war OF land enlaTges the immunities of
-Combatants; the status of prisoners
of war was nmeliorated; the existing pro-
hibition upon the bOnbardment 0f un-
fortified towns was extended to include all
means and methods which NAV be resortad
to with a view to the reduction of fortified
place,
Tho rules prescribing the rights and
duties OF neutral States are comprised in
eleven articles, in which. after providing
for territorial inviolability. the organiza-
ton OF troops or the establishment of re-
Cruiting offices in neutral territory is pro-
hlDlted. as II the passage through such
territory Of organized bodies Of troors or
conveys Of provisions or munitions Of war
The treaty regarding submarine mines
il calculated 10 secure for commercial
vessels a sal stantial immunity from injury
hv floating or anchored mines The new
articles restricting the right of maritime
capture guarantee an immunity from
capture 10 postal correspondence between
neutral and belhgerent States and to vessels
engaged in coast fisheries, scientific. re-
ligiOus or philanthropy missions, and those
enga ged in minor coasting trade.