CONFERENCES
from a belligerent to a neutral flag during or in contemplation of hostilities;
(h) The question whether the nationality or the domicile of the owner should be adopted as the dominant factor in deciding whether property is enemy property.
The invitations having been accepted, the Governments concerned exchanged in the course of the autumn memoranda setting out their views as to the rules of International Law on the various points of the programme.
A document founded on these memoranda was drawn up in advance as a basis of discussion at the Conference.
Lord Desart, Solicitor to the Treasury, Director of Public Prosecutions and King's Proctor, was appointed British Plenipotentiary, assisted by two naval delegates, one Foreign Office official and one legal adviser to the Foreign Office. Each of the other Powers was represented by a plenipotentiary appointed ad hoc, with the assistance of technical delegates. Among the Japanese delegates were the councillor and the naval attache to the Japanese embassy in London.
At the first meeting, December 4, the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs opened the proceedings.
On the proposal of Mons. Renault, doyen d'dge of the delegates present, seconded by Herr Kriege, German First Delegate, Lord Desart was elected president.
At the second meeting a secretariat was appointed, consisting of one member for each Power, excepting France and Great Britain, each of which furnished two. A reglement of procedure was adopted.
After the fourth meeting, the Conference went into
