The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-09-21

/ TIE NEUTRAL TRADE.-There is Tot thoughtful
man in the country who would exult in the prus-
I pect Of great European conflict. even if be knew
that his fortune would be promoted by the con-
test The fearful waste Of life and treasure involy-
/ ed in such var while they will not deter those
whose blood is heated from rushing to the assault.
induce every lover of his kind involved in
the quarrel TO do all be in the interests of peace
But there is nothing in this sentiment to deter a
neutral from probing its fullest extent by all the
legitimate trade which the folly madness OF other
nations may throw in his way, aud We glad that
this subject is receiving at least late recognition at
Washington. The renowned agreement known as
tthe Paris Declaration to which all of the lead
I ing European powers have formally assented, has
taken the place. to great extent Of the old defni
tons of international law, and has given peculiar
advantages to all proper trade under neutral flag
1t established the new principle that the goods Of
enemy safe from seizure under a neutral flag,
unless they contraba1d of war, and that neutral
goods thus contraband are not liable to capture
even on board an enemy's ship.
In regard to what constitutes contraband of war,
and therefore not included in this exemption from
seizure the practice since the declaration has been
far more liberal than formerly towards the bellige
rents. Under the old policy the tendency was tor
wards restriction. and strong neutral nations able to
sssert their rights would permit the seizure of
property where the flag duly covered the owner, un-
less clearly liable wsrlike material. Now, it is
customary for the belligereuts TO declare BY proca
nation the list OF forbidden articles which is allow
ed to include many not formerly forbidden. Until
such official lists appear shippers from this country
will do well TO be cautious about shipping anything
Of doubtful character, that can by stretch of
construction be esssed eontrabaud II is easy to
see that France is superior to Prussia in naval
force, aud all privateeriug is abolished there will
be great temptation to stretch the Emperor's au-
thority and render the exemption clause Of little
effect BY including everything possible under the
coutrsband exception. We foresee much trouble
from this source and therefore desire to caution
our readers 10 time that they may not throw away
the profits Of large legitimate trade BY an attempt
to supply any warlike material to either combataut
With these remarks we append in full the text Of
the agreement now binding on the b-lIigerents:
Declaration respecting Maritime Law, signed by
the Peuiootentiaries Of Great Britain, Austria,
France, Prussis, Russis, sardinia and Turkey as
sembled in Congress at Paris, April 16, 1856:
The PleupotentizFies who signed the Treaty of
Paris Of the S0th March, 1856 assembled in Confer
euce, considering
That Maritime Law, in time Of war, has long
been the subject Of deplorable disputes:
That the uncertainty of the law, and Of the du-
ties in such matters, give rise difference OF opn-
ion between neutrals and belligerents which may
occasion serious difficulties, and even cOuhieis;
That it is consequently advantageous to estab-
lish uniform doctrine on 90 important point;
That the Pienipoteutiaries assembled in Con-
gress at Paris cannot better TO the Intention
1y which their Governments animated than by
seeking to introduce into international relations tx
ed principles in this respect
The aforementioned Plenipotentiaries, being
duly authorized, resolved to concert among them
selves to the means of attaining this object and,
having come to sgreement, have adopted the fol-
loving solemn Declaration:
a. PriTateering Is, and remains, sbolished.
60 The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with
the exception Of eontr154ud OF war
80 Neutral goods, with the exception Of contra
band of war, not liable to capture under enemys
HsE.
- BlOekades, in order to be binding, must be
effective that Is say. maintained by force suf-
Gent really prevent to the coast the enc
my
"Tbe Governments ofthe undersigned plenipoten-
tiaries 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 10 ac-
cede to it.
Convinced that the msxins which they uox pro-
claim cannot but be received with gratitude BY tie
whole world, che ssseFsighed PIeuipoteHtiaries
doabi not that the efforts Of their Governments to
obtain the gensral adoption thereof viii be crvBed
with fsll success.
"a The present Declaration Is not and shall not be
binding. except between those Powers Who have &C
eeded, or shall seeede TO IT,
" Done at Paris. the siTfeeth Of April one thou
sand eight hundred and hffy-siG
(sigued.l
BUoL ScHAEssTEIs, HATZFELDT,
HuBsER, OKLoFF
WnEvsEI, BKuESov,
BouRQUENET, CAFoUR,
CLARENDON, DEFuLAMARIsA,
CovLET. ALI,
AAsFECFKEL, AEHENNED DsK1uL
-Jourzai q Commerce
TEE progress in marine guns during the last de-
eade has been very great In 1859, the 6sPoaBder /
east-irou gun was the most powerful weapon. At /
present there 600 FOUNDER z5-ton guns, besides
lston, l2-ton. eton and 81 ton guns The hghiest