The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-19
MARITIME SEIZURES.
The LAW Of Nations at it Stands Mt Present
Provisions of the Treaty of 1866 Neutral
Goods and PrivateeriBa.

The Law of Nations at tt Stands Mt Present
Provisions of the Treaty of 1866 Neutral
Goods and PrivateeriDG.
In view of the possible operations of the
French and North German fleets the present
state of international law on the subject of
maritime seizures becomes of interest and i'm
portance not only to the belligerents but to
neutral nations, and especially to the United
States, whose commerce is just recovering from
the disastrous results of the recent Rebellion.
Maritime seizures are at present regulated by
the official declaration of the representatives of
the great powers of Europe who participated in
the treaty of Paris of March 80, 1856. The
following is the declaration in respect to the
capture of neutral goods under belligerent flags,
and also against privateering or the granting of
letters of marque and reprisal:-
Declaration respecting maritime law, signed by the
Plenpotentiaries of Great Britain, Austria France,
Prussia Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey, assembled in
Congress, at Paris April l6 1856: the Plenipoten-
tiaries who signed the treaty of Paris of the 3Oth
March, 1856, assembled in conference, considering
that maritime law, In time of war, has long been the
subject of deporable disputes that the uncertainty
of the law and of the duties In such matter gives
rise to difference of opinion between neutrals
and belligerents which may occasion serious difii-
cuties and even conflicts; tnat it is consequently
advantageous to establish uniform doctrine on so
important point; that the Penipotentiares assem-
bled in congress at Paris cannot better respond to
the intention by which their governments are ami
mated than by seeking to Introduce into interna-
tiona relations fixed principles in this respect.
The ove-mentioned plenipotentiaries, being duly
authorized, resolved to concert among themselves
as to the means of attaining this object and hav-
ing come to an agreement have adopted the follow
ing solemn declaration:-
l. Privateertng is, and remains, abolished.
Q. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with
the exception of contraband of war.
8. Neutral goods with the exception Of contra
band Of war; are not liable to capture under enemys
flag.
4. Blockades, in order to be binding must be
effective; that is to say, maintained by force su-
cient really to prevent access to the coast of the
enemy.
The Governments Of the undersigned Plenipoten-
taries engage to bring the present declaration to the
knowledge of the States which have not taken part
in the Congress of Paris and to invite them to ac-
cede to it. Convinced that the maXims which they
now proclaim cannot but be received with gratitude
by the whole world, the undersigned Plenipoten-
taries doubt not that the efforts of their Govern
ments to obtain the general adoption thereof will be
crowned with full success The present declaration
is not and shall not be binding except between those
powers who have acceded or shall accede to it.
Done at Paris, the sixteenth Of April, thousand
eight hundred and hfty-siX