New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-05
TO REVISE WAR AT SEA
NaUaI Conference Opens at London
-TiezCs of Pouers.

London Dec 4-The International conference
called By Great Britain to frame a code OF laws
for naval warfare and TO establish the inferna-
tional prize court recommended by the Hague con
gress opened at the Foreign Office to-day Inc
session was brief. Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign
Secretary in his address of welcome thanked ths
various governments represented for having &c
cepted invitations He said that Great bii'aii
actuated by the single object OF assuring Ine
success of the prize court convention drawn up al
The Hague, adding:
This convention. II firmly established will remove
many difficulties which hitherto have been PoEs Ten
conferences of to-day represents great nations ano
great interests. The agreed opinion OF r,,e1lis
respect and will carry weight tnroug 4 3e 70 do dc
something to draw together the nations they rep
resent will trust, lay firm foundation Iq 2T,t
ent of this court TO be looked forward to by al
who become parties to the convention; mo- o''
with relief and hope, but also with commence
The fun conference will have its first meeting on
December IL and is expected to finish It's "orA
about February L
At the request of the British government tne
powers which accepted invitations to the CONFER
encs have forwarded list of subjects for discus
sion. The United States. Great Britain france
Germany Italy. Austria-Hungary, Russla SPAIN
Holland and Japan will be represented
At the suggestion of Germany the powers nave
submitted their views on various points Ihe
United States Great Britain and Japan are agreed
in principle at least, the most Important pro
posals. and they may be expected TO "ofh III az
cord with the probable support of France 1heIe
ere wide differences Of opinion between these pow
ers and the other six countries represented Grea
Britain stands alone in supporting the rights OF d
beEgerent 70 search neutral merchantmen PEoceeu-
ing eneruy's port under the escort OF d "sI-
ship flying the same Tag She claims the right OF
search under all circumstances, While the oIle,
powers contend that the guarantee OF neuus
power should be sufficient to protect ls Nessel'
from molestatton. It Is probable, however I-4a'
will
point she considers more essential
Great Britain Is DESTROYS of aboshing contraoand
entirely; America and Japan do not go SO far' 0ut
they would agree IL only munitions OF var shoui1
be declared contraband
The Continental powers viii urge the commune
ton Of the present system. under Wnlcn lHe Oe'
Hgerents declare what is contrabend-
Great Britain. America and japan agree on the
method Of blockading contending for the right 70
seize blockade runners at any time or place ms
is opposed TO the Continental view that only wa
ships actually engaged in bockadtns have the r1sHE
TO seize vessels These same three powers Oppose
the Continental contention that belligerent has
right destroy seized vessels before trial. az WAS
done for instance, by Russia with British uer-
chantraen in her last var.
The conference will differ on the responsibility Of
neutral power for ship leaving one Of us ports
as q merchantmen and efterward being trans
formed into man-of-war as in the case OF me
| Alabama The United States naturally holds the
view that the neutral power is responsible and
finds support only from France and japan, ou'
| also from Great Britain The other powers rep
resented take the opposits view.
The right Of belIigerent ships to coal in neutra
ports also has divided conference into two fac
| tons America Great Britain. Japan and Francs
contend that ship should make only one visit &c
q neutral port and receive only sufficient coal &c
czrry her TO a home port: the other powers, now
| ever hold that a ship should be allowed TO visit
| q neutral port snd obtain coal SO often "a she
wishes
| 4 number Of other questions, largely technical
| also will be considered