The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1908-12-21
GIVE VIEWS ON
NAVAL WARFARE.
Ten Powers Submit Briefs On Sub
ject-Makes Bulky Dec
ument.

London. Dec. 21.-The views Of 10
powers, the delegates from which are
assembled here to decide upon code
of laws for the international prize
court provided for at the last Hague
conference, make a decidedly bulky
volume. Some of the powers, like
Japan, have submitted their propo-
sails in the briefest form, while 9th.
ers, notably Great Britain, support
their views with arguments and ret.
erences to decisions which British
naval courts have given in historical
naval cases. The United States, too,
has gone into detail ON the various
subjects which she thinks should re-
ceive consideration, while Germany
has submitted draft code of laws
The United States, Great Britain
and Japan are agreed on the majority
of points. The American views in
clude the following suggestions: A
neutral ship found within the limits
of a belligerent power may be-
seized, destroyed or used for warIike
purposes, but the proprietors must BE-
Unidentified.
In cases where the enemy has nog
observed the usages of war and the
delinquent can not be captured, there
may be recourse to reprisals, but al
ways In accordance with the dictates
of humanity.
The reprisals should not exceed IN
severity the offense committed and
should not be repeated after repara-
ton has been made for the injury
complained of.
All ships in the public service -
the enemy are subject to capture, en-
cept those employed in purely char
table or scientific work, voyages Of
discovery and as hospital ships.
All private vessels belonging to the
enemy except bona fide coastal fish
ing boats are subject to capture unr
less exempt under treaty. In case %
military or other necessary private
ships of the enemy they can be de-,
stroyed or retained for service OF the
government. Neutral ships employees
in naval or military service Of the
enemy or placed under control Of the
enemy for naval or military services.
are subject to capture and destruc-
ton.
Warships of the United States can
seek asylum during war in a neutral
port subject to the limitations pre-
scribed by the port authorities.
Such ships must conform to the
regulations Of the port authorities re-
garding length of stay and interval to
be observed before going to sea I'M
pursuit of any enemy or after depas<
ture Of enemy's ship
A neutral ship carrying an, enemylS
dispatches is subject to seizure when
acting as courier in the service Of the
enemy Mail steamers under a neu-
trail flag, carrying said dispatches
whether as part of general mail or
separately, for convenient reasons
and without special contention Of re-
Enumeration, are not subject to sefz-
ure and should not be detained unr
less there is we'll grounded cause
to suspect a violation of the laws o.
war
In the section relating to the en-
emption from capture of hospital
ships, it is suggested that such ships
should give succor and assistance to-
the. wounded, sick and shipwrecked
of the beIhgerents without distfnc-
ton of nationality. Belligerents
should have the right to control the
movements and visit hospital ships.
They could refuse their help, order
them away in any direction wished.
put commissioner aboard and even
detain the ships If the gravity Of the
situation requires it.
Merchant ships, yachts or neutral
vessels carrying or picking up beIlig-
erent wounded, sick or shipwrecked.
should not be captured on account Of
such acts, but should still be subject
to capture for any violations of neu-
trality they may have committed.
Merchant ships under escort Of war
ships of their own nationality should
be exempt from the right OF search
ON proper assurances being given by
the commander OF the convoy.
The American views also contafK
proposals as to contraband and The
methods Of blockading which are
similar to those put forward by Great
Britain in more extensive manner