Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-04
NEW LAWS OF WAR CLEVELAND IS LAUDED
Great Powers Meet to Revise Life Insurance Presidents Paw
the Naval Code. Tribute to Dead.
BIG QUESTIONS AT ISSUE SPEECH BY PAUL MORTON
England the United States and Tribute Paid by
Japan Agreed in Principle retary of Navy Herbert
RIGHT TO SEARCH SHIPS H0KE SMITH ALSO WRITES
Great Britain Standing Alone $11 100000
Among Ten Nations on One I'm Brings
portant contention O.
BIG QUESTIONS AT ISSUE
England, the United States and
Japan Agreed in Principle.
RIGHT TO SEARCH SHIPS
Great Britain Standing Alone
Among Ten Nations on One I'm
portant Contention.

LONDON. December 4.-The conference
of the powers called by Great Britain for
the framing of code of laws for naval
warfare and for the formation Of the inter-
national prize court recommended by The
Hague congress. was opened at the for
the Christmas holidays. it is expected that
the conference will continue until about
February ]. At the request of the British
government the powers which accepted in
vitations to the conference have forward
ed list of subjects which they consider
should be discussed.
The United States Great Britain,
France. Germany, Italy. Austria Hungary.
Russia. Spain. Holland and Japan will be
represented. The American delegates are
Rear Admiral Charles II. Stockton and
Prof. George Grafton Wilson of Brown
University. Commander John Fl. Gibbons,
naval attache at the London embassy. will
act as aid. Great Britain will be repre-
sented by the Earl of Desart and Capt.
Charles l.. Ottley, director of naval in
telligence and secretary Of the committee
Of imperial defense. They will have as
assistants two officers of the naval intel
ligence department and foreign Secre-
tary.
An address of welcome was delivered by
Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey.
Three Countries Agree.
AT the suggestion of Germany the
powers have submitted their views on
various points. The United States, Great
Britain and Japan are agreed in prin-
ciple at least on the most important
proposals, and they may be expected
to work in accord, with the probable
support of France. There are wide dill
ferences of opinion between these powers
and the other six countries represented.
Great Britain stands alone In support
ing the rights Of belligerent to search
enemys port under the escort of a war
ship flying the same flag. She claims;
the right of search under all c!rcum-
stances, while the other powers con-
tend that the guarantee OF neutral
power should b.. sufficient to protect its
vessels from molestation. 1t is probable,
however. that Great Britain will con-
cede this in return for some point she
considers more essential.
Great Britain is desilious of ablosh-
ing contraband entirely: America and
Japan do not go so fa-. but they would
agree that only munitions of war should
be declared cont aband.
The continental powers will urge the
continuation of the present system, under
which the beiligerents declare what is
cOntrab band.
Great Britain, America and Japan agree
on the method of blockading contendinS
for the right to seize blockade runners
at any time or place. This Is opposed
to the continental vi4w that only war
ships actually engaged in blockading
have the right to seize vessels. These
same three powers opposed the CONT
mental contention that a beligerent had
a right to destroy seized vessels uefore
trial. was done. for instance, by hus-
sia with British merchantmen during
the late war.
Like Case of the Alabama.
The conference will differ on The re-
sponsbility of a neutral powcr for
ship leaving one of its ports as a mer
chantrnan and afterward being trans
fo-med into a man-of-war, as in the case
of the Alabama. The United States nat
urs1ly supports tie view that the n utral
power is responsible very strongly. and,
only from France and Japan. but also
from Great Britain. The other powers
repr sented take the opposite view.
The right of be!lige. ent ships t, coat
in neutral ports also has divided the
conference into two factions. America.
Great Britain. Japan and France cont lend
that q ship should make but on visit 10
neutral port and b. given only suff-
cient coal to carry her to home port.
The other powers, however hold that d
ship should he allowed to visit a neutral
port and fill up with coal as often as
she can
\ number of other questions. largely