THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 30 September 1907, Page 3

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

CONVERTING -MERCHANTMEN. Received Sept. 2'J, 4.12 p.m. The Hague, September "23. A plenary sitting of the Peace Conference approved ttie draft convention relating to the treatment of captured enemy's merchantmen and crews, and exempting from capture coastal fishing boats. The Conference was unable to agree regarding the question whether merchantmen may be converted into v. arships on the high seas, hut approved the regulation partly dealing with the general question of conversion, the Powers being urged to apply as tar as postible the naval warfare principles of the convention of 18tW covering land warfare. Lack of time prevented agreement on the question of contraband, also on the inviolability of an enemy's private property at sea, and the destruction of neutral prizes. {TIMES' COMMENT ON THE FIASCOReceived 29th, 4.12 p.m. London, September 23. The Times, referring to The Hague Convention, complains of the hypocrisy iml tactics employed to defeat Britain s submarine mines proposals, by constant insinuations that Britain was selfishly desirous to secure the safety of her ocean' trade, and her desire to deprive ■mailer Powers of a cheap weapon ~si defence.