The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-12-24
THREE AGREE
ON SEA BATTLES
UNITED STATES, GREAT BRIT.
AIN & JAPAN SUBMIT SAME
PROPOSITIONS.
Code of Laws for International Prize
Courts Under Consideration in
London.

ne views OF the ten powers the
delegates from which are assembled
at London to decide upon a code of
laws for the international prize court
provided for at the last Hague con-
ference make bulky volume. Some
of the powers like Japan, have sub
mltted their proposals in the briefest
forms while others notably Great
Britain support their views with ar
guments and references to decisions
which British naval courts nave given
in historical naval cases. The United
States too has gone into detail on
the subjects winch she thinks should
receive 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 beligerent power may be
purposes but the proprietors must
be identified.
In cases where the enemy has not
observed the usages of war and the
delinquent can not be captured there
may be recourse to reprisals but al
ways in dc cordance with the dictates
OF humanity.
Reprisals Should Not Be Severe.
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 of
the enemy are subject to capture ex
cept those employed in purely chart
table or scientific work voyage or dis
covery and as hospital Ships.
All private vessels belonging to the
enemy except bona-hde coastal fish
ing boats are subject to capture un-
less exempt under treaty. In case OF
military or other necessity private
ships of the enemy can be destroyed
or retained for service are subjecr
to capture and destruction.
Warships OF the United States OF
America can seek asylum during war
in a neutral port subject to the limi-
tations prescribed by the port au-
thorities. Snch ships must conform
to the regulations OF the port author
tiles regarding length of stay and in
terval 10 be observed before going TO
sea in pursuit of any enemy or after
departure OF enemy's ships.
A neutral ship carrying an enemy's
dispatches is subject to seizure when
acting as courier in the service OF the
enemy
Provision as to Mail Steamers.
Mail steamers under neutral flag
carrying said dispatches whether as
part of general mail or separately for
convenient reasons and without spec
ial convention or remuneration are
not subject TO seizure and should not
be detained unless there is we'll
grounded cause 10 suspect violation
OF the laws of war
In the section relating TO the ex-
emptiona from capture of hospital
ships it is suggested that such ships
should give succor and assistance to
the wounded sick and shipwrecked OF
the beligerents without distinction 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 commits
sioner on board and even detain the
ships.
Merchants ships yachts or neutral
vessels carrying or picking up bellig
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 pf
var ships of their own nationality
should be exempt from the right OF
search on proper assurances being
given by the commander OF the con-
voy.
The American views also contain
proposals as to contraband and the
methods of blockading which are
similar to those put forward by Great
Britain in a more extensive manner.