The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-26
NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1861.

tile country were ordered 70 touch arst at some
British port and pay custom dues there, after
which, IN certain cases, they were allowed to
depart to their destination. In all cases, too,
vessels clearing from . hostile port were, be-
fore proceeding further on their voyage, 10
touch at British port By a decree issued from
Milan in 1907, Bonaparts declared the British
dominions in all parts Of the world to be in
sta'e OF blockade, and all countries we've pro-
hibited from trading With each other in any ~
ticles produced or Manufactured in the psrta Of
the earth thus put under ban. Els
The effect of this paper war on neutrals ~
most embarrassing. Between the two bellige-
rents, the whole foreign trade Of all nssl-
trail nations was inteIdioted. The trade
with the United States WA Affected mott
of all Our government demonstrated with
France, and obtained an unofficial assurance
that the Berlin Decree would not be entorcee
against the United States. But Great Britain
refused to make similar concession, and this
was the chief cause of the war of 1912. Yet
now, with its usual consistency, the British 60
vernment refuses to recognise paper block.
ade, while at the same time it recognises priva-
teeripg, which it declared to be piracy by the
Treaty of Paris in 1866.
1t must be admitted, however, that no prize
court in Europe would now condemn vessel
captured for the alleged violation of nominal
blockade But it has been decided that the
blockade il good though the war ships stationed
at the place may have been removed to short
distance by sudden change of wind or any
similar cause.
The next essential to legal blockade is, that
the party violating it shall be proved to have
been aware of its existence. Neutrals lying at
the place may retire freely after the notifca-
ton of the blockade, taking with them the car
goes with which they may be already laden;
but they must not take in any new cargo. The
offence is contaminated by going into the place
blockaded, or by coming out of it with a cargo
taken in after the commencement of the block
ade Vessels must not even approach the
port with the evident intention of entering
After ship has violated blockade she shall
not be purged of the offence till she returns to
the port whence she originally BET out If,
however, the blockade has been raised before
Une capture, tuc OucHCc lS uO lOuScI
The effect of violation is the condemnation
generally of ship and cargo. If, however, it
can be made to appear that the owner of the
cargo was not implicated, the cargo will be re-
stored. Sometimes it happens that only the
owners of the cargo are guilty and the master
of the ship innocent, in which case the ship is
restored.
If place is blockaded by sea only, neu-
trail may carry on commerce with it by inland
communications. The neutral vessel may enter
a neighboring port not included in the block
ade with goods destined to be carried thence
overland. For INSTANCE, goods mlgH now be
! landed in Mexican pert 10 be forwarded by
land to any port in Texas, or even to Charles
ton without violation of the blockade. This
is one of the numerous ways in which block
ade is evaded; but, after every evasion, IL must
still prove most destructive to the commercial
interests of the States blockaded.