The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-02

kind and with the free Of trade and It the duty
as well the interest OF rational government not to
carry them at all beyond the limits Of strict necessity
10 the prosecution Of hostilities.
AT the very moment that war was declared, on the
2sh Of March, the Queen of England and the Emperor
Of the French gave the world striking proof that they
intended far possible to mitigate these evils de-
claration was simultaneously published In the name Of
both crowns, the effect that the neutral dag would be
allowed trade and TO the enemys property with
the sole exceptions OF trade to bockaded ports Of
trade in contraband of the conveyance Of the Of
fcers dispatches of the enemy and added that
the enemys flag would not condemn neutral property,
and that letters of marque would not at pre-
sent be issued; This declaration which cannot be
too much considered by those who are interested in
this subject at home and abroad at once disposed of
very large class Of the cases which the legal
profession had already bestowed considerable aten-
ton. 1t amounts in fact, to complete revolution in
the law with respect to neutrals administered
by our maritime courts in former wars. We admit the
principle that the neutral flag protects The enemys goods
the French admit the corresponding their
view Of the law of nations that the enemys mag not
possible security gvenfo the neutral trade We in
sst this point because already perceive with re-
greet that attempt is made by some OF the
faction IN the United States to open old sores and to mis-
represent in toto the policy proclaimed by the BRUSH
and French governments at the outset OF tne war anu
at the very moment when so large has been
made by this country to neutral interests, 1t implies
something than ignorance to dstort these measures
into of hostility The Americans are apt to say
that they have adopted nation the principle that
" free ships make free goods" 1t is true they have
done so by treaty with several States but in
try has the contrary maxim been sturdly
defended by legal writer's or more strictly administered
by the admiralty courts Under the existing instruc.
March, the right Of search will be strictly confined to
the search for contrabapd Of war; the transport of
which by neutral to beligerent il obviously incon
sistent with the neutral character, and constitutes
violation Of those very rights and obligations which
trail States are most interested in defending Accord
ponded to these liberal Of the belgerents by
strict prohibitions Of the export of conraband Of war;
and by of their readiness to conform to rules
which must be highly advantageous to themselves. The
Americans have not the slightest ground of apprehen
sion complaint for we suppose that they will
permit the Russian agents who actively employed
IN the United States to avail themselves Of the liber
ties Of that country, against cause which has the
This concession having been made by the maritime
Powers which will undoubtedly have during this war the
10 stop at that point If the enemy is to have the bene-
At Of trading through neutruls wherever his ports
open, and the neutral to carry not only his own
trade with the enemy but the general trade which the
begerents no longer pursue the position both OF
the and of the neutras would become more favor
able than that Of the maritime Powers themselves
their subjects prohibited under pain Of conscation
from following the of commercial intercourse
where it is open Can it be argued maintained thai
neutral ship free to carry Russian property all
the world, and even bring it to British port, hut
that British ship, having taken Russian pro-
duce board in q neutral port but not the
property of neutral is liable to seizure and condemns
ton by British French cruiser and court of prize
furious to ourselves and to make mer-
chants by way Of bringing the Gar to The very
FIRST question that itself the declaration OF
is the of bringing away British property al
ready purchased and ready for shipment in Russian
ports; and, far as we are concerned every facility
which be given without defeating the objects of
blockade ought to be given for that object Practically
believe the amount Of this property is not very large
for almost all the houses engaged in the Russian trade
wisely refused their advances last year. and those who
sent money to Russia were perfectly aware Of
SNf i0I1 priOn mt fhar rUrQa ant Mnra.
over It is probable the Emperor of Russia will settle the
question for by embargo he has already stopped
the export of grain from the Black Sea and the Sea Of
ASo The belllgerents viii probably be able to
these by very close blockade and, if the
Russian government will let nothing out shall take
care to let nothing in But apart from these direct
measures of war; which necessary to curtail the
of the enemy next ought to be to
touch lightly possible those of national
interests which inevitably affected by the For
this purpose cannot doubt that the government win
adhere far possible to the enlarged principles
Of commercial freedom which have already raised the
country to pitch Of unexamped prosperity in peace,
and which may now mitigate and avert some of the
most widely felt evils of state Of hostites. 1t
Ia not by fleets and armies fields of battle alone,
that victories and the hardshps of endured
To take homey view Of the subject the increased
prices of material the rise Of indirect taxation the
extinction of kinds of industry and interference
with trade, national trials, as well as tho peril
and the suffering of great fights, though they mus st
out glory We trust however, that in the present state
OF the world we may overcome these evils to great ex
tent by liberal policy In former contests this country
Of to their utmost limit but change of equal mag
nudc has taken place in the policy of war in that of
% ana e eoses S the eS pcss %
reference with the rights the industry and the COM
merce of the people.
ORDERS IN COUNCIL.
fbaC fat in.is he IA N lnrD