The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-14
THE RIGHTS OF NEUTRALS.
Continued from the Herald of May s.
CuApTsEu vT-IACT.


traI Right Garry Enemy's Property 10 the ben'9e's"s
LIS Eaecs-IotaI Exclusion Of Indirdadt Person ana
Property From Attack the Oeee' q me Ameo"'a''Ve
Systen,-Efec TO Abrogate Wdr-froodoe e"''''se
Belioeyent Policy During the Wdr-Sedrea-61e" " |
Observation-Disclosures Of ue be'hgere'" i"oag"
Neutral 7rdd,-TfOutles Arising from 6toodae-o'a
y,,,,j,s moi Re,lot1ced-Confde Of the Auies-Neu
t,a, and Beilioeren Cannot Hdrmonise-Freedon. q |
g,,5, h,,f Multiplies The Chances Of Collision
Aswas 10 be expected after forty years peace,
o.cupied by agencies of such remarkable change in
international relations, and augmentive of that
grand force of progressive public sentiment, the
awe of which affords much greater restraint
upon governments than all the venerable limitations
of the lextalonis the maniestoes put forth by the
bellgerents, in commencing the present war, ex-
panatory of their intended policy towards neutrals,
have very moderate air. We should not yet, how
ever, congratulate ourselves too much upon the as
suned sacrifice of old belligerent doctrine. The
concession TO neutral demands, respectable as it APP
pears is not complete. The British government as
serts STILL portion of the old principle. Though
il would seem the neutral is to be allowed perfectly
free trade with either belligerent, yet this pri-
yiege does not extend to the business of
carrying between the belligerents themselves.
Lord Carendon's instructions to the Consul at
Riga together with a reply of the Committee OF the
Priyy Council for Trade to query of the English
merchants declare that neurals will not be allowed
10 transport property belonging to the enemy, (imit-
NO the application OF this restriction, OF course, to
goods brought to the British market.) If England
means 10 maintain this restriction alone it is by it.
self not merely useless of any result to her benefit,
but is directly adverse to her own interests. Ii the
trade of ncutrals between Russia and all other ports
except with the enemies of Russia, is left free, this
restriction, in its utmost effect, viii merely limit the
amount of Russian products England shall purchase
and the quantity of manufactures she may herself
sell to that country. 1t Injuries herself, without in
the least affecting Russia, she send the gods
refused by England to other markets. and receive
from them the manufactures which England refuses
to sell her, The real operation of this rule must be
TO force England for the chief portion of the goods
she buys FROM and OF those she sells to, Russia to
pay the increased expense OF an indirect voyage be-
tween the two countries-placing her, in both ways
in unfavolable competition with other countries. A
portion of this trade might be accommodated through
neutral houses established within the Russian terri
tory, but suppose this would be regarded as too
thin OF the direct trade between the enemies
themselves. part of the trade WILL of course, still
continue as direct as before, under clandesne ar
rangements of the British and Russian merchants
with neutrals subtle as TO elude the vigilance OF
the governments.
1t would seem that England, if intending to main
tain no other restriction upon neutrals than this,
would better have let this gone with the rest of the
old theories. But there were considerations which,
in a manner, forced the retention of this. To have
sacrificed this, would be complete revolution IN al
the practices and ideas combined under the name of
war. Give perfect freedom to the enemys merchan-
dise-placing the commerce in them upon the same
footing as in peacc-there is no reason, then, why
The freedom to carry them should not be accorded to
the enemys ships If all property but ships is free,
why not make the ships free alsof Thus private
property would be entirely excepted from the touch
Of war and national hostility would leave the rea-
fiope batueeu guhiecta UNCHANGED. hut this wOuld
strip war of nearly all its importance. The people,
quietly pursuing their usual avocations, would care
little about the hostility carried on by either govern
ment against the property of the other government
War, merely a strife of officials, would seem
ridiculous and the of armies and navies for the
protection of any interests of the people, would no
longer be apparent. Ii is TO this end that what we
cal the improvements in, and relaxations of, the
war spirit inevitably tend 1t is not to modify and
humanise the system that combines masses OF indi-
vidual hostility but it is to abolish 1T absolutely.
il strikes at the very root of the system. II
starts upon the recognition of the principle that it
j. unjust to impress individual persons or property
into strife into which individual interest does not
prompt and its ultimate object can be nothing less
than the absolute immunity of the individual from
the abuse. The progress OF the reform has already
gone so far as to make declaration OF war ve,y
untoward position between governments, as seen IN
The present case. And ii is only the thin Partition
OF the regulation alluded to which saves this war; as
commenced, from the character OF being mere con-
test side at least, OF oicehoiders-a Tray OF
the representatives of the people.
But we ought not to feel too secure that the pro-
grnrnme of the set forth in the beginning is that
which will be retained to rs close; Nothing Is 80
liable to change as the policy both of courts and
camns in the arrangements OF war; circumstances
liable TO perpetual change exert an overbeallng III
fuence upon the actions OF all parties IN war. IL mas
been the usual policy of England to pay much de-
ference to the rights of neutras in the commence
ment of her wars. Governments, like the pugillsts
whose bestiaty shocks them, usually enter the ring
in comparatively good humor, but grow more and
reckless the set-t0 proceeds.
Beginning with the purpose OF a few fair rounds,
they are ever ready for a general row.
The opening for the resumption OF old principles
is indeed, sufficiently wide, through the present
manfcstoes. Goods contrahand OF war, that Is,
such as arc comprehended under the term war-sup-
plies are excepted from the general privilege nc
corded neutral trade with the enemy. That eX-
ception every one seems to consider perfectly rea-
sonable But how shall the prohibition be enforced!
viii the invoice of cargo be considered sufficient
evidence of the nature of the cargo! Assuredy
not If that were the case, the exception m ght "a
well be promulgated against the transportation IN
the same ships Of sympathies adverse TO the cause
of the allies. What other course then remains,
what other can be even now contemplated, but the
practice of search? And does any one suppose that
The inspection of the cargoes of neutral vessels by
begerents, can possibly be Unattended with abuses
and outrages, which shall create unavoidable dun
Guilty between the power at peace and the power at
war;
But, again, what are those which the French En-
peror calls "wor supplies in contraband.p The de
inition Of them has ever been according TO the
ability and designs of the party enforcing eXcu:
sion. We have seen the very ample exposition o.
contrabandism in the Jay treaty. We have seen
quite contracted definitions in other cases. II the
neutral. arc allowed their own definition, It VIII
certainly lie q very one. II il not 10 be cx
peccd that parties viii agree any better at present
ihan formerly. Ii warlikc stores-those urdeniably
suoh-risc to high price In Russia, the neutrals will
certainly Ike advantage OF their privilege OF Tree
trade to convey very considerable supplies thereof
20 her ports, which they will continue to 90 IN
spite even Of search. The fact becoming known,
must be ret. lated. Howl BY restriction upon
the Americans aud others viii certainly, under the
free trade privilege carry into Russia, and sell to
its government large vessels, apparently merchant
men, but intended 20 be converted into vessels OF
war. VIII that be allowedl Yet il cannot be
stopped 50 long a. free trade is permitted.