MARITIME WARFARE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 5

MARITIME WARFARE.

THE PRIZE COURT, CONFERENCE TO DEFINE ITS LAWS. BRITISH INTERESTS. (nv TF.i.ncßM'ii—runs? association—cortuiciiT) (Rcc. March 22, 10.30 p.m.) London, March 22. Two Bhic-Boolss, dealing with the International Naval Confcrenco on the subject of maritimo laws, have been issued. They includo a declaration consisting of a codification of the laws of naval war, signed on behalf of Britain, France, Germany, United States, Hungary, and tho Netherlands. Four other countries represented at tho Conference aro expcctcd to sign beforo June. Tho aim of tho Conferciico was to defino principles for tho guidance of the proposed International Prize Court adopted by tho Hague Conference in 1907. instructions of tho Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edwnrd Grey, to tho British delegates wero to preserve those legitimate rights of a belligerent which had heretofore proved essential to tho successful assertion of British sea power and to tho defending of British independence. Tho "Morning Post" declares that legal experts and strategists will find that thoso objects have been attained, and that tho work of tho Conference is one of tho most successful efforts of British diplomacy. TWO BLEMISHES. TRANSMUTABLE MERCHANTSHIPS. NEUTRAL CARGO. (Rec. March 23, 1.5 a.m.) London, March 22. "Tho Times," in dealing with the naval Blue-Books, says that on tho whole it is a not unsatisfactory agreement, but no agreement has been reached regarding a merchantman's right—which Britain denies—to convert itself into a warship upon the high seas/ nor whether tho nationality or—as Britain contends—tho domicilo of the owner of a ship determines the character of his goods, whether thoso of a neutral or of an enemy. Tho British delegates, reporting to Sir Edwnrd Grey, give grounds for hoping that the International Prize Court will adopt the British view as to tho last-named point; but regarding tho former there is no such hope. OBJECTS OF THE CONFERENCE. The immediate purpose of the London Naval Conference was to render possible before June, 1909, the ratification of a convention relative to tho establishment of an International I'rizo Court. Although primarily responsible for that convention, which is a recpnciliation of divergent views by private negotiation between Great Britain and Germany, the British Government decided that it could not afford to ratify it beeauso there is the utmost uncertainty as to the law which the Prize Court would have to administer, for the Hague Conference, while endeavouring to construct a Prize Court, was proving that there was a complete divergence of opinion upon alt tho important points of prize law. Under the proposed convention National Prize Courts must give their final judgment within two years from tho date of capture of a prize. Within 120 days of publication of that judgment an International Prize Court would sit at The Hague. It would to composed of 15 jurists of recognised competence in maritimo international law. Eight of theso judges are to be nominated by America, Aus-tria-llnngarv, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy. Japan, and Ilnr.sin. Tho other seven are distributed among the minor Powers. This Court is not intended to give relief to belligerents, which can practically appeal - only against any alleged breach of tho convention. Its pnrposo is to relieve neutrals, and neutrals are given an almost unlimited right of appeal against the condemnatory judgments of National Prize Courts. , The Appeal Court is to base its judgments— (1) Upon any existing conventions between the parties; (2) upon tho rules of international law; (3) if trenerallv recognised rule* do not exist, upon the general principles of justice and equitv. It was to supply rules of international law whero they do not exist that the Naval Conference was summoned. It was understood that contraband and blockade wero to db tlio principal subjects of discussion.