DECLARATION OF LONDON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 10 March 1911, Page 5

DECLARATION OF LONDON.

"FIXED RULES FOR CHAOS."

[rEESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received March 10, 0.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. Lord Desborough, initiating a debate on the Declaration of London, vigorously denounced the Declaration. Lord Desart, .from the cross- benches, made a long and impressive speech. He said that the British envoys had done everything they could to induce foreign Governments to assist the International Prize Court. If Great Britain changed her mind now it Avould imperil all future negotiations. The Declaration substituted fixed rules for chaos. The conversion of merchant vessels into ships df war was the most serious point affecting Great Britain. If the question was one of gaining advantage as neutrals or belligerents, neutral interests must go. He supported the Declaration, believing it would largely 'benefit neutrals, without sacrificing a single 'belligerent' right. „.,*-• Lord Selborne, taking South Africa as an example, pointed out the danger to the Oversea Dominions. It was perfectly certain that the enemy's cruiser captains would claim food Stuffs to be contraband " which were going "into the Britisli ports of South Africa, as undoubtedly they _, were bases for armed forces. Ho did not wonder at representations coming, from Australia, where similar circumstance might arise It was impossible to secure the moral support of the Dominions if Great Britain made an agreement without consulting them. The -debate was adjourned.