PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13461, 28 June 1907, Page 5

PEACE CONFERENCE.

THE DANGEROUS TORPEDO.

PRIZE COURTS.

' Unite^T Press Association. — By Electric . v . Telegraph. — Copyright.' (Received June 28, 8.34 a.m.) THE HAGUE, June 27. Owing to the possibility of a self-propelling torpedo to a fishing boat or other small craft which could approach a warship unsuspected, Sir Ernest Satow (one of the British Plenipotentiaries) at the Peace Conference proposed to restrict the employment of - torpedoes to recognised Warships. The proposal is analogous to the-prohibition t of civilian combatants without uniform ' in land warfare. Britain proposed to abolish contra- . band- of war. This was owing to divergencies relating to the definition of contraband and friction arising through the rights to search. Germany wished to exempt mail steamers because of delay involved by jl search. . Britain's and Germany's draft proposals regarding a Prize Court differ materially. Germany proposed a tribunal to be constituted in^war time, the members to be nominated practically by the two belligerents. Britain proposes * court of expert juries consisting of consuls, to be established in peace time, pn a neutral basis.