Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-04
Recommended by Hague Con-
gress, Called by Great Britain,
Conference Opens in London.
AMERICA HAS. TWO DELEGATES
AT Suggestion of Germany Powers
Have Submitted Their Views
On Various Points.

London, Dec. 1.-THE conference OF the
| powers called by Great Britain for the
framing of a code of laws for naval
warfare and for the formation OF the
international prize court recommended
By The Hague congress, was opened at
the foreign office today. With an in
terval for the Christmas holidays, it is
expected that the conference will con-
tinue until about Feb. /. AT the re-
quest of the British government the
powers which accepted Invitations to
The conference have forwarded a list OF
subjects which they considered should
De discussed. The United States, Great
Britain, France, Germany Italy, Aus
tro- Hungary, Russia, Spain, Holland
and Japan will be represented. The
American delegates are Rear Admiral
charles H. Stockton and Prof. George
Grafton Wilson OF Brown university.
Great Britain VIII be represented by
the Earl of Desart and Capt. Charles
l.. Otley, director of naval intelligence
and secretary of the committee OF i'm
perial defense.
An address OF welcome was delivered
by Foreign Secy. Sir Edward Grey.
AT the suggestion of Germany the
powers have submitted their views OH
various points.
The United States, Great Britain and
on the most important proposals, and
they may be expected to work in ac-
cord. with the probable support Of
France. There are wide differences OF
opinion between these powers and the
other six countries represented. Great
Britain stands alone in supporting the
rights of a beligerent to search neau-
trial merchantmen proceeding to an
enemy's port under the escort of Il war
ship flying the same flag. She claims
the right of search under all circum-
s'ances, while the other powers con-
tend that the guarantee of a neutral
power should be sufficient to protect
It's vessels from molcstation. It is
probable however, that Great Britain
will concede this in return for some
point she considers more essential.
Great Britain is DESTROYS of abolish
ing contraband entirely: America and
Japan do not go SO far, but they would
agree il only munitions of war should
be declared contraband.
l a. continental n powers will urge the
continuation of the present system.
under u, 1e, which the belligrents declare
what is. eontraband i5Il- 81.
Great Britain, America and Japnu
agree on the method OF blockadiny
contending for the right to seize block
ade runners at any time or place This
Is opposed to the continental view that
only warships actually engaged in
blockading have the right to size yes
sells. These same three powers on
posed the continental contention that
q bclllgerent has a right to destroy
seized vessels before trial. as was done.
Tor instance, by Russia with British
merchantmen during the late war.
me conference will differ on the rc-
sponslblity OF a neutral power for a
snip leaving one of Its port as /,
merchantmen and afterwards. being
transformed into a. man of war, as in
the case of the Alabama. The United
states naturally supports the view that
the neutral power is responsible very
strongly and she finds support not only
IRON France and Japan, but also from
Great Britain. The other powers rep
resented take the opposite view.
The right of belligerent ships to coal
IN neutral ports also has divided the
conference into two factions
America, Great Britain, Japan and
France. contend that IL ship should
make but one visit to n neutral port
and be given only sufficient coal to
carry her to a home port; the other
powers, however, hold that ship
should be allowed to visit a neutral
port and fill up with coal as often
as she can.
a number Of other questions, largely
technical, also will be considered,