THE DECLARATION OF LONDON

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1074, 13 March 1911, Page 5

THE DECLARATION OF LONDON

ITS UNDERLYING IDEA, By Tclecraph-Prcss Association-Copyrlßtit. London, March.lo. The dqbato in the House of Lords on the Declaration of London was continued to-day. Lord Dunraven opposed the Declaration, and Lords Eeay and Weardalo favoured it. Lord Halsbury (a former Lord Chancellor) declared the whole tone of • the Declaration was very hostile. to the greatest naval Power. Underlying it was tho belief that if war was made very polite it might be banished altogether. The debate .was again adjourned.

; , ;:; i ;'";i ileap in the dark. «■. .• (Rec. March 12, 5.5 p.m.) •' London, March 11. , The ."Spectator" considers . that tho ratification of the Declaration of London, would be a leap in tho dark, inasmuch as it gives tho small Powers tho. s'amo voting strength on. tho International Prize Court as is given to Great Britain.

THE DECLARATION CRITICISED. The Declaration was drafted by representatives of Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Japan, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Holland in conference in London, and was signed in February, 1909. It is.the code of laws which the new Hague International Prize Court must follow in the event of war. In a recent criticism of its provisions the "Daily Mail" said:— "One of its most important features is that dealing with the right of capturing foodstuffs in time of war. "For example, one neutral ship, A, is carrying food to Glasgow.. Another neutral ship, B, is carrying food to Germany. A is liable to seizure by the German fleet. Glasgow and all other British ports would rank as naval bases, according to the Declaration. But B cannot be touched by British warships. Her destination is Antwerp, a neutral port, whence her cargo will go by rail to Germany. Germany's supplies are immune. AH British supplies, are liable to seizure. Every country with laud frontiers has thus a vast advantage over an island State. "A second defect of the Declaration is that it permits the destruction of neutral prizes. That is to say, in a war between Germany and China German cruisers could destroy British ships on 'the allegation that they had contraband on board. "A third and vital defect is that it does not forbid the conversion of merchantmen into commerco-destrovers oh the high seas. Thus in war such "a Tower as Germany could send out merchantmen flying the peace flag, which could proceed to distant seas, using neutral ports, and in distant seas attack the shipping of an enemy. Neutral ports would bo closed to regular warships. "A fourth defect is that the Declaration limits tho right of a blockading fleet in time of war in such a way as to hamper our admirals and captains, and to Hunt the edge of our only weapon, our Navy."