Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-05
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS.
2Ol2. Mary T.. Darcy vs.. John }. Darcy. Di-
vorce. John W. Wilson for plaintiff.
RICE AS CONTRABAND OF WAR.
Effect of the French DeclaratiOn-The
Rice Market DISQUALIFICATION of
American Vessels and Trade.

Effect of the French DeclaratiOn-The
Rice Market DISQUALIFICATION of
American Vessels and Trade.
Mr.. John F. Talmage, of Messrs. Dan
TaImage's Sons. says the New York
Journal Of Commerce, of March 3, was
asked yesterday what effect, if any, had
been produced upon the rice trade by the
French declaration treating rice as con-
traband of war. He replied that prices
had not been advanced by it, but the mar
ket had been strengthened, and in Europe
considerably excited. The European
stock, however, is large, amounting to
about 100000 bags, so that the supply
is ample for all present require
ments, and as Mr.. Talmage
did not believe the declaration can be
enforced, he was confident that the effect
will be temporary. The American trade
is not directly involved, except so far as
the commerce between China and the
Pacific coast may be affected. Rice is an
article of this trade. During the year
ended June so, 1884, there was imported
into san Francisco 57,553, 1872 pounds Of
rice, valued at $1,12O,924, and into the
port of willamette. Oregon, 6,5I2,53O
hounds. valued at $125, 7OS. The object of
supplies of food for the Chinese armies. it
is not likely that it will be enforced
against the export of rice from China,
even if it were not for the principle OF
international law that, in order to bring
articles of food under the head OF
cOntraband Of war, they must pc
shown to have been "Shlpped as such,
and with the understanding and intention
that they were to aid belligerent in
warIIke operations. But our vessels en-
gagged in the commerce between the Pa
cific coast and China cannot take adj
vantage of an increased demand for rice
in China to reverse the course of ship
ments, and take it in their outward car
goes, unless they are prepared to invoke
the aid OF our government in making a
contest. with England and Germany,
against the right Of France TO convert
rice into a cOntraband article, and there
fore liable to seizure even when carried
under a neutral flag. 1t appears posi-
HE. nevertheless, that, however unlikely
NAV be an export movement OF that KIND,
our vessels engaged in the China trade
NAV be subjected to the OdlOus right OF
search. as already exercised by the
French upon British vessels.
According to the ideas OF German
paDer. the VOssiSche ZeituRg, the annoy
anee will not be confined to searches Tor
lamentations of the cOntraband article
into China, but will affect iniuriously yes
sells owned in England and engaged in
the trade of transporting rice from China
TO Germany.
Another direction in which the declara-
4iou NAV fall with degree OF effect hard
10 estimate, is upon shipments Of rice
owned by Chinese merchants under any
nag. A good deal of the trade in rice Is
said TO be done under conditions OF this
kind. OF course, cargo thus owned is en-
emy's goods, but is not protected by the
resolution of the Paris Congress In 1886,
that the neutral flag shall cover enemy
goods. excepting cOntraband OF war, I'M
less France has no right to make rice con-
traband. Both Germany and England re-
sist nor claim of right to do so.