RULES OF. NAVAL WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 7, 8 July 1909, Page 7

RULES OF. NAVAL WAR.

c ■ RATIFICATION POSTPONED. By ST<legrapli.— Press Association.— Copyright., j (Received July 8, 8.25 a.m.) LONDON, 7th Jiuly. The Standard states that the Prime/ Minister (Mr. Asquith) has postponed indefinitely the ratification of the Declaration of London dealing with the international rules of naval warfare, which, ! was adopted in February last. Hence 1 the declaration remains a dead letter. j The ratification of the convention for j the establishment of an International j Prize Court has also beeii postponed. The International Conference whict? sat in London adopted seventy-one articles, and, in addition, a "voeu" J» formally expressed wish), embodied in the form of a protocol regarding fche establishment ot an International Prize Court. The conference dealt with the following topics, unanimity being seeuued on eight, while an understanding was found to be impossible on two :—: — Settled. — Blockade, contraband, unneutral service, destruction of neutral prizes, transfer to a -neutral flag, convoy, resistance to search, compejisation. Not settled. — Enemy character (partial), conversion of merchant vessels to war ships on the high seas. The net results of the conference were the outcome of compromise and bargaining. Great Britain made many concessions which, to a certain extent, would bring her naval practice into accord with Continental usage. The Admiralty experts were, however, quite satisfied with the results, and it seems that certain acceptances of change were inspired by the altering conditions of naval warfare. The signatory Powers expressly stated "the rules contained in the report cor- I responded in substance witt the generally recognised principles of international law." i Tho proposed new rules and regula- | tions were expressly stated to be subject to ratification by the Parliaments of the countries concerned. Naval critics in the Old Country condemned the alterations as tending to the disadvantage of a strong maritime Power. It would appear either that these criticisms ' have produced some effect, or that the Cabinet is doubtful of being able to get the endorsement of the two Houses of \ Parliament.