PEACE CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2126, 8 July 1907, Page 2

PEACE CONFERENCE.

in favor of international aibitiatmn ■ l a means of limiting armaments. M. NcUsdolf said the Convention was promoting methods ot inend % ment of differences. • Received July 7, 4.18 p.m. THE HAGUE, July 6. At the Peace Convention the fourth committee discussed America s o posal in favor of general inviolability of private property at sea. Goi manj was prepared to support the principle of immunity if means were proposed ensuring that the protection would be efficacious. Holland, Norway, Greece, Argentine, and other smaller States supported America. . . Sir Ernest Satow, formerly British Minister at Pekin, argued that the questions of immunity of belligerents property and the limitation oi the right of commercial blockades were inseparably connected. Britain did not consider the movement m tavor of the ideal object of abolition was sufficiently developed to enable her to associate hersell with the doctrine oi ' immunity of private property. Britain’s desiro to see the interests ot neutrals respected led her to projiose 1 the abolition of-contraband. ' The French delegates argued that '■> the capture of an enemy’s commerce > was far less inhuman than many 1 methods in land warfare. ’ The Russian representatives thought 1 the question was not ripe for decision. J After further consideration the ; matter was finally adopted. 1 Tho second committee discussed 7 Franco’s proposal in favor of formal declaration oi : ivar before oiiening lios- , tilities. ' ” The Dutch delegates proposed tlial ' -in interval of at least 24 hour! 7 should elapse between tho declaration I of war and the outbreak of hostilities 1* Russia and Germany supported tin " French proposal., but decision waf !l postponed, on the British, American " and Japanese representatives mating V reservations regarding the principle