New-York tribune., 1909-03-07
SOUND NAVAL POLICY
Success of London Conference
Gains for Neutral Commerce.


we're responsible for the scheme of permanent
prize court of appeal at The Hague, and each
was anxious to provide it with a code OK inter
national law. The two maritime rivals were
drawn together in this enterprise from the out
set Other nations represented in the confer
ence OF ten powers, especially France japan
and America. were eager TO cooperate with
them in establishing the new court Of appeal
and in minimizing the risks of neutral COM
merce in time of war The conference started
off with a strong impulse from the Liberal gov
ernment in England and with a tolerant spirit
among the delegates; and before the prelim-
mary survey of the numerous controversial
questions was completed there was practical evil
dence that an agreement would be reached. The
diversities of tradition and practice which were
disclosed made it evident that every power
would have to concede important points
This facilitated negotiation and concurrent
action since no maritime nation could claim
either superiority of practice or exemption from
change. All were hopelessly behind the times in
their theories. precedents. definitions and codes
With conciliation and texibility ii was possible
for every power to cast aside worthless tradi-
tions and to approach common base Of action
for the regulation of neutral commerce and
fghting ships In time of war. There were con-
ficts of opinion. but the delegates were in the
way OF agreement.
The Declaration Of London. which the dele
gates of the ten powers are signing this week.
Is not diplomatic victory for any government.
When it is ratified by the powers and becomes
the accepted code Of the maritime world for
blockade. transfer of flags. conditional and ab-
soute contraband. exemptions from seizure,
continuous voyage. transshipment in neutral
ports and other matters connected with bel
nd ffy ~
every nation will have yielded points OF law
and tme-honored traditions. If the roll had
been called at the end of the conference. every
power might have enumerated its sacrifices and
concessions OF what had once been considered
valuable principles Each nation might also
have presented a list of conpensatlng advan
tages from the adoption Of a uniform code
adapted 10 the requirements OF modern warfare
and the worlds trade. No delegation had tri-
umphed individually. but all countries repre-
sented in the conference were in a position TO
profit by the substitution OF an orderly progress
sive and enlightened code for the anomalies OF
ten national systems absolutely irreconcilable
and so antiCuated as 10 be out OF touch with
the conditions of modern warfare. The dec
laration was a great gain for the maritime
world 1t multiplied the safeguards OF neutral
commerce and did not materially reduce the
begerent rights Of fighting ships. Il a
definite code regulating future conflicts OF sea
power and bringing into operation court Of
appeal with a body of revised laws to interpret
and to enforce.
The American delegates were not. perhaps.
more strenuous than their colleagues IN promOt-
ing the success Of the conference. but they had
qualities which made them remarkably service
able in processes OF Cancellation. Admiral
stockton as a well seasoned sailor with old
Of
OF belligerent rights commanded the confidence
OF the naval experts of the European delega-
tons and his suavity OF manner and tolerant
temper made him a natural peacemaker He
was on intimate terms with the japanese delc-
gate Baron Sakomoto. and was most helpful
in maintaining a good understanding between
America and the progressive Pacific power Pro
fessor Wilson. apart from his training and
knowledge as an expert in international law
was an excellent linguist. speaking German
even more fiuentIy than French. This was a
talent of exceptional value since the powers
were naturally divided into two groups one
COMPRISING America. England and Japan with
France. Spain and Italy in sympathy with
them and the other Continental group headed
bv GERMANY with Austria Hungary. Russia
and Holland close behind. Compromises had
10 be effected between these groups on
many important points, and Professor wilson
nv being able to converse freely with the Ger
man delegates in their own tongue played an
influential part in the negotiations which fol-
lowed every conference session or committee
meeting 1t was brilliant service tact1ully ac-
complished and II was one OF the most eHecuVe
instruments for reconciling differences or opin-
ion and bringing about unaninous actloh-
There was diplomatic, or. rather cohstltu-
tionaI question which lay outside the range OF
,or;t,roe law The services Of the American
Ambassador were required at the last moment
for arranging a protocol with reference 20 H.
and the delegates themselves have acknowledged
that this adjustment made with deXteilt'
and tact Their own mission was To carry c"t
the instructions OF the State Department rc-
snecting naval and maritime questions and to
obtain as large advantages as possible for Amer
lean commerce. They took practical view oi
traditions which had ceased 10 have utility. and
of neutral trade. which had become the predom-
mating American interest the high seas.
Tho rrincIpIe of continuous voyage irrespective
Of transshipment of goods at an intermediate
neutral port had been of extreme Importance to
America during the Civil War. the law Of block
adj. was regulated by the necessity for shutting
out supplies from an extensive seaboard. and
many other precedents for naval operations were
stablished under special conditions which were
not likely ever TO be reproduced. The delegates
considered sacrifices OF tradition and usage un-
important in comparison with the advantage of
security TO neutral trade. They have
acted with sound Judgment, since another civil
war Is not likely to occur. and America is des-
tined to remain a great exporting and trading
nation. profoundly interested in neutral rather
than belIigerent rights. In excluding cotton and
other exports from seizure In all circumstances,
and in securing free passage of breadstuffs. coal
and other staples to neutral ports. except when
definitely tainted as conditionaIly cOntraband,