New-York tribune., 1922-10-29
London Meeting Approues
Hague Traffic Regulations
International Rules Carriage of Goods by Sea
Now Before Diplomatic Session at Brussels:
Haight Outlines Changes in Original Document

Uniform international regulations
covering tbs carriage of goods by sea
were agreed upon by ship owners, ship
pers and underwriters at the London
conference Of the Comite Maritime IN
ternational, October eli. 1t is ex-
pected that these rules, founded upon
The Hague rules, 1921, will be adopted
by the diplomatic conference which is
now in session at Brussels, and will
be submitted to commercial nations in
the form of an international conven-
tlon. 1t is apparent that the efforts
which have been under way for years
to bring about similar bill Of lading
practices on the fleets of all countries
are to be successful,
The London conference, after long
debate, agreed that the uniform rules
should apply only from the time the
goods are loaded by ocean carriers un- an
til they are unloaded at the port of
discharge, thus confning their scope
to that part of transportation which is
actually international in character.
This does not mean that the steamship
lines are relieved of liability for safe
custody and handling of goods before
loading and after discharge, but that
the law on these points shall remain
the same as it is to-day in all ports
Of the world.
The conference decided, without a
dissenting vote, that at present the
international code must be confined
to ocean transit, and that any attempt
to override all local laws, which de-
pend largely upon local conditions.
would defeat the entire movement for
uniformity.
The Resolutions Adopted
The following resolutions vers
adopted at the close of the discussion:
/. This conference agrees in sub-
stance with the principles which con-
stitute the basis of the Hague rules
and thsarules for the carriage cf goods
by sea and regards these rules as af
fording solution alike practical and
fair Of tho problem of clauses In bills
Of lading excepting OR limiting the
Liabilities of the ship owner.
z. This conference is of opinion that
an international convention is the most
( desirable means of reaching a general
solution of the problem and Of the
serious conflicts of law which it raises
.. 1he conference expresses the wish
that through the permanent bureau
special commission shall be appointed
, whicn shall act in cooperation with
the bureau to prepare a draft of such
convention on these lines and on this
footing and that all necessary stems
may be taken to insure that the sub
lect may be brought to the notice of
the diplomatic conference to meet at
Brussels on October II.
delegates from Denmark, NORWAY.
Sweden, and Holland said they would
agree, but must register reservations
on behalf of the shipping of their
respective countries.
Az the London meeting the American
/ delegates, who also represented the
Maritime Law Association of the JJnifad
states, were Judge Charles N. TIouph
q the Circuit Court of Appeals presi,
dent Of the Maritime Law Association.
Norman 3. Beecher, admiralty connsei
Ior the Shipping Board, and Charles
HaIght, chairman of the Bill Of Iadine
| committee of the international .Cb = re
Der OF Commerce. Mr.. Haight has ,eiyay
most OF his time for the last f7teen
months to this task,
ne american representatives urcaa
Frat action should be taken ,yitho,,.
delay both on the Hague rules and ~
sae question of the rssponsibiIiSg If