DECLARATIONS OF WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 167, 15 July 1907, Page 4

DECLARATIONS OF WAR.

If only the rules of international law could be enforced by some recognised authority, the proceedings of The Hague Peace Convention would assume an importance that under existing conditions we cannot justly attribute to them. One of the most interesting decisions, so far reached by the Convention is the adoption of the proposal in favour of the formal declaration of war, advanced by France, and supported by America, England, and Japan. Most people have a vague impression that an official declaration or th« issue of an ultimatum is necessary before any act of hostility. But this is only a tradition from, mediaeval times, when wars were frequently made for the sake of fighting, and therefore partook largely of the character of a duel The office of the herald, whose duty it was to notify his master's wishes and intentions to his foes, has long since passed into oblivion. Occasionally, even in modern times, we come across instances of the regular declaration of war. But within the last two

centuries, and more especially during the last fifty years, the great majority of wars have opened without this superfluous formality.

Three years ago Japan made her famous attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur without any preliminary notification, and she was strictly within her rights in so doing, for the withdrawal of. her Ambassador from St. Petersburg, preceded this decisive blow which really settled the issue of tbe war. Russia's remonstrances against Japanese "treachery" on this occasion were, of course, simply intended to rouse the public opinion of Europe against Japan. But it mu3t be admitted that it would be a great convenience for all civilised powers to come to a mutual agreement that no hostile act shall be committed by any of them without final notice, not only to its enemy, but to the neutral Powers. It is only as a convention, dictated by self-interest, but supported by no definite authority, and sanctioned by no special penalty, that we must regard tbis new rule of international law. But, even as it stands, such a regulation should add appreciably to the security of the Great Powers, and should tend to relieve public apprehension during the diplomatic crises that periodically occur between England, France and Germany.