THE PEACE CONVENTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 9 August 1907, Page 3

THE PEACE CONVENTION.

: _„_;i^MAL 'NAVIGATION AND WAR. J - PKOHiBITIVE EESOLtn nous. [Urizcd Pbess Association.—Copt'BlQHT.] (Re-ceived August d, 7.46, a.m.) THIS. HAGUE, Thursday. The # First Committee of the Second Commission at. the Peace Conference discussed the Belgian proposal for re- • newing the declaration adopted ih 1899 prohibiting, for fiye years, the dropping or- projectiles, arid explosives from balloons. ■■• -• „ .... ikro'rL-Reay ißaroti Ma.cka,y of OpheffieVt, Holland), asid earth aud sea '\vere_ sufficient for military .operations, "* '*ahd' it'Xvoiild be "Better to leave the air free. Thirty Powers supported Belgium, - though Germany's approval was condi- ' - tional on complete unanimity. Five Powers, including France and Russia, dissented,- and nine abstained from voting. A proposal by Italy, insisting that if military^ balloons were employed they must be dirigable and carry a milit-iry crew, was carried' by 21 ayes to- eight noes; 14 Powers abstained irom voting. .-•A second proposal, prohibiting the dropping- of projectiles oh undefended' ;-. towns,, wax: carried by 30 ayes to two v.-.- noes. Powers abstained from voting. ' -.