The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-26
SEA SAFETY TREATY
RATIFIED IN SENATE
Compact Provides Ice Patrol,
Destruction of Derelicts
and Uniform Rules.
TITANIC STARTED IDEA
Fourteen Nations Subscribe to
Agreement Restricting
Taking a Chance"

WAsHISGToH, March ?5.---The Senate
mi, afternoon ratified tine international
convention relating to safety OF life at sea.
Including the accompanying regulations
sisn.d at the international conference in
London in January. The international
agreement IL largely lie suit Of the IT.
tanir disaster.
In transmitting the treaty to the Sem
at Secretary Bryan enclosed a letter he
had sent to the President The letter
read
'-rAe conference was comprised OF tie
representatives OF the fourteen principal
maritime nations and Of three OF the self
governing British dorninions II was
called. In large measure. upon the sug-
gesi.on OF the Government Of the United
states and the advice of tine American
delegation was influential upon a great
many particulars that entered into this
convention"
Under the treaty the nations under,a'.,
TO insure the destruction of derelicts in
the northern part OF the Atlantic Ocean
and TO establish in the north Atlantic,
with the least possible delay. a service for
the study and observation OF ice conditions
and a service OF Ice patrol. To accom-
pllsh this purpose two vessels are to be
employed In patrol during the whole ice
season and during the rest Of the year in
the study and observation OF ice cond.-
tons and IN the destruction Of der-llcts,
but the study and observation OF ice con-
dii.ons must be effectively maintained
from the beginning OF February to the
opening Of the Ice season.
The countries partlc pating agree to
s,ui yy.rsbips mr. har 10 10,
Any dangerous derelicts as the exigencies
nay require. The Government OF the
Cnited States Is to have charge OF this
service. but the countries participating
obligate themselves to contribute to the
"1,n>e N proportion to the extent of
their shipping. The treaty obiigates the
master OF every vessel that meets with
dangerous ice or a dangerous derelct to
communicate the information at once and
BY every means Of communication at its
disposal, not only TO vessels in the vicln-
- but TO the authorities at the nearest,
coast point. The treaty provides a code
tn use of when is optional. III order to
facilitate the transmission Of lnforms-
ton In uniform manner.
The treaty requires masters OF vess-ls--
Shen ice Is reported on or near the course
10 irocecd at moderate speed or alter
the course and go well clear OF the dan
ger zone. The treaty requires certain
NesSf4S W NAVE DOdTu sig
hal!!ng lamp Of sufficient range and regu-
!gies the use Of distress signals
Steamships traversng the north At
lau''c are required to give public notice
u, t.e.r regular routes or any changes
ne. -..y make from time to time. bu,
The Steamship conpa are allowed to
seec; their own routes. The treaty re-
gy.--s every master Of a vessel who re.
rs.!e, . call for assistance from vessel
" distress to proceed TO the assistance.
gl. yu-r. "A number OF vessels respond
20 Gl5,reSs call the one for which the
distressed master issues q reQuisi;ion is
required 70 respond Immediately.
strict regulations are prescribed as to
he Jackets and lie buoys and the num-
her 10 be carried as to tbs manner Jt
lowering life boats and rasts. and as .
lie number OF certified life boat men to
y assigned to each boat or raft. Wherc
The number OF persons carried Is less
than siXty-one there must be at least
three certified If. boat men for each
ooat. and the number is graduated up 20
seven as the minimum for life boat or
life ratt carrying from lsl 10 80 per
cons. The treaty requires an officer. petty
officer or seaman in charge OF each Ef-
boat.
The treaty contains this a. one Of IL
fundamental principles:
At no moment Of its voyage may a
vessel have on board total number OF
persons greater than that for whom ac-
commoda;!ons is provided In the life
boats and the pontoon life RATS on