The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-14
ENGLAND.

The Neutrality Laws-Report Of the Royal
COmmissioners-The Building and Furnish
ing Of Sbips-Citizen Action Towards Bel.
MGerepts.
By the steamship Hammonia we learn that-as
noticed in the cable kilograms OF the HERALD-on
the lat OF June, in London Blue Book was issued
for the information OF Parliament giving the report
OF the Neutrality Laws Commissioners, together
with an appendix containing reports from foreign
States, and other documents. The report Is as fol-
lowe-
inquire into and consider the character working and
effect OF the laws Of this realm available for the en-.
forcement OF neutrality during the existence of hos
Utilities between other States with whom your Majesty
Is at peace, and to inquire and report whether any
and what changes ought to be made in such laws for
the purpose OF giving to them increased efficiency
and bringing them into full conformity with your
kajesty's International obligations" have now to
state to your Majesty that we have held twenty -four
meetings, and having inquired into and considered
the subject so referred TO have agreed to the
The statute now available for the enforcement of
neutrality during the existence OF hostlites between
States with whom your Majesty at peace is the 5sth
Geo. H. C. 80, commonly called the "Foregn En-
ustment Act" The title OF that act Is .sAn act to
prevent the ensting or engagement Of his Majesty's
subjects TO serve in foreign service and the fitting
out or equipping In his Majesty's dompions vessels
for warllke purposes without his Majesty's cense.n
And the preamble runs thus-'Whereas the enlist
ment or engagement Of his Majestys subjects to
serve In war in foreign service without his
armng of vessels by his Majesty's subjects without
his Majesty's license for warike operations in or
against the domlnions or territories OF any
foreign prince, State, potentate persons
exercising or assuming to exercise the powers OF
government In or over any foreign country, colony,
province or part OF any province, against the
ships, goods or merchandise OF any foreign prince,
State, potentate, or persons as aforesaid other
subjects, may be preudical to and tend to endanger
the peace and welfare Of this Kingdom; and whereas
the laws In force are not sufficiently eiectual Tor
preventing the same.n
hai fha cfa tuta
this country for the enforcement of neutrality our
duty has been TO inquire and report whether IL is
are Of opinion that 10 might be made more efficient
by the enactment OF provisions founded upon the
following resolutions
Frst-Jiiat it is expedient to amend the Foreign
Enlistment act by adding to Its provisions prohibit.
ton against the preparing or fitting out In any part
OF her Majesty's domnions OF any naval military
expedition TO proceed from thence against the terri
tory or dominions OF any foreign State with whom
her Majesty shall not then be at war.
Second-That The first paragraph OF section 7 OF
the Foreign Enlistment act should be amended to
the following eiect:--If any person SHALL wi,hin the
limits Of her Majesty Commons, fit out arm des-
patch, or cause to be despatched any ship with in
tent or knowledge that the same shall or will be
employed IN the military naval service OF any for
eign power 10 any war then beng waged by such
power against the subjects or property OF any foreign
or benigerent power with whom her Majesty shall |
not then be at b) shall within her Malesty's
Gominlens build or equip any ship with the intent
That the same shah. after being fitted out aud armed
either within beyond her Majesty's dom,nions be
employed az Aforesaid; C) shall commence or az.
tempt 70 do or shell aid IN dong. any of the acts |
aforesaid every person offending shall be deemed
guilty OF a misdemeapor.
Thtrd-7hat in order to enable The Executive
government more electually TO restrain and pseyent
attempted offences against spction of the torei,n
Enlistment SGT, addluDIa provision 10 the following
effect should he inserted IN the satute.l-q Thai IL
Secretary of state shall be satisfied that there ~ a
reasonable and probable cause for believing that a
ship which is within the limits of her Majesty's
dominions has been is being built equipped fitted
out, or armed contrary 10 the enactment, and ia
about ~ be taken beyond the limits, or that the ship
Is about 10 be despatched contrary to the enactment
such Secretary Of state shall have power 10 issue
warrant stating that there Is such reasonable
aforesaid and upon such warrant The Com
mblsioners Of Customs, or any other person
or persons named in the warrant, shal have
power TO arrest and search suUh ship and to de-
tain The same until IL shall be ell er condemned or
released by process Of lew, or IN manner hereinafter
mentioned (b) That the power .heretnbefore given
10 Secretary Of state may part OF her Malesty's
dominiODs beyond the ses be ctsed by the gov
ernor or other polson h2ying chiof authority. (cl
mat power be given TO the owner OF the ship or his
agent to apply 10 tBf Court Of Admiralty of the place
where The snip s detained, or If the he no such
court there TO the nearest Court OF Admiralty for is
Ieiease. a mat the court shall put rhe matter OF
such detention in the Of trial between the APP
plicaht ana the Crown, with usual Admiralty appeal
shall establish 10 the Satisfaction OF the
court that NE ship was not and s not being
butt equipped, fitted out ARMED or intended to be
despatched. contrary to the enactment the ship
shall be released aud reitored. N THAT If The
owner shall fail 10 establish 10 the satisfaction OF the
court That the ship was and is not being built
equipped. fitted out or armed intended to be des
patched, contrary 10 the enactment, the ship shall
be detained till released by order Of Ii Secretary OF
State; nevertheless the court may If a. shall think
0t order its release, provided the owner shall give
security TO the satisfaction OF the court That the ship
shall not be employed contrary to the enat Gmen ADD
provided that no proceedings are pendingfur Its
domination. m That II the court shalt be OF opinion
shat there was not reasonable and probable cause |
for che detention and II no such cause shall !
appear In the course OF the proceedings, the court
shall have power TO declare that the owner ought 10
be indemnned blythe payment Of costs and dun
ages, which in that case shall be payable out OF any
poneys legally applicable by the Commissioners sof !
the Treasury for that purpose. M That any war.
rant OF the Secretary Of State shall be laid before J
faTnament W THAI the proceedings herein pro- !