The sun., 1897-03-22
NOTICE OF THE BLOCKADE.
THIS GOVERNMENT INFORMED OF
THE ACTION OF THE POWERS.

Shall we Rerrso to Recognise It In the Alb
senee OF = Declaration or wari-A oucs-
tion to No Answered when an American
Vessel Is Overhauled by the Blockaders.
WASHINGTON, March 2l.-This Government
was officially notified to-day OF the blockade OF
the ports Of the Island of Crete through the rep
resentatives in Washington Of tho six powers
signatory TO the Berlin treaty-Great Britain.
France, Italy, Germany, Austria Hungary, and
Russia. Tho blockade, according to the almost
identical notes delivered to Secretary Sherman
by Sir Julian Pauncefote NJ. Patenotre, Baron
dc Fava, Baron Won Thicmann, NJ Henzel-
muller Won HenRervar, and M. dc KatZebue, be-
gan at o'clock this morning and applies direct
ly only to ships sailing under the Greek flag.
1t Is provided, however. that ships Of the six
powers or of neutral powers may be visited by
the ships Of the international fleets and over
hauled for the purpose Of determining whether
they contain merchandise intended for tho
Greek or insurgent troops
The question uppermost In the minds OF many
statesmen in Washington to-day is: VIII tho
United States recognize the blockade, and would
the Mckinley Administration regard an at
tempt TO enforce it against an American vessel
as a declaration OF war So far as the views of
those competent to discuss international law
can DO obtained they are unanimous in behalf Of
the proposition that the powers would not at
tempt to enforce the blockade against American
vessels II they could and that they could not IL
they would. Many OF the public men who dis.
cussed the question OF the blockade with
THE Sun correspondent to-day were emphati-
cally Of the opinion that should an American
vessel be made the victim OF an attempt to en-
force the edict OF the powers, the Mckinley Ad-
= ~.
dent to announce its policy on the general sub
ject of the Eastern question. This contingency
is so remote, however. that those in authority
are adverse TO anticipating 1t by direct cx-
preston Of opinion with regard to a hypotheti.
cal case.
Secretary Sherman refused to discuss the
question. excusing himself with the plea that 1t
was the Sabbath day and he was greatly in need
OF rest. Chairman Davis and Senator Frye OF
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and
Chairman.to-be Hit OF the House Of Foreign
Affairs Committee. however, discussed the mat
ter freely and fully with THE SUN correspondent,
and in q manner that showed that they had
given 1t some thought.
Senator Davis says that he has been following
tho history OF the complications at Crete, and he
cannot sec that the United States is directly in
terested In the setting up or the pulling down of
the blockade He says he does not believe there
is anything to be found in the practice of in
tcrnational law to warrant the establishment OF
a blockade at Crete in the absence OF declara-
tion Of war between Greece and Turkey. All the
world knows that the relations between those
two countries are strained almost to the point OF
severance, but up to the present time they
supposed to be at peace SO far tho
United States are concerned. Senator Davis
says he believes in q vigorous Ameri-
can policy all over the world, and his
record in the Senate has been entirely consistent
in that direction. In the present instance the
question presented is more sentimental than
practical, he says. when one stops to consider
that the United States has but little or no trade
relations with Greece. The official records show
that American vessel has not been to the
Island Of Crete in many years, hence IL is useless
TO speculate upon what the United States
might do II an American vessel should go
there and attempt to run the blockade. SEN
ator Davis says the present Administration is
thoroughly American. and 1t will promptly de-
fend the rights of Americans all the world over.
The controversy at Crete is purely European
affair and it is too remote for this country 10 get
excited over. 1t looks like a revival Of the Ar
menian question in another form. Senator Davis
does not see what action the Government Is
called upon to take, even concedng that the
establishment OF the blockade Is contrary to tho
spirit OF international law.
Senator Frye said: The United States has
always regarded all navigable waters open to
her ships. This is an American Administration.
and II will see to II that its ships are admitted
to every port OF every friendly nation. There IL
no prospect OF serious complications arising be-
tween the United States and Great Britain over
the Cretan blockade. We have no trade with
that country, and do not believe wo have had
n
years. 1t has been the policy OF our Government
not to regard any navigable water closed TO
us. II we should send q vessel or a number OF
vessels to Crete and the blockade should be en-.
forced against u.s. we would demand the rights
guaranteed by the rule OF international law.
We are not bound by the agreements European
countries make among themselves. and II had
my way would send American ships into every
part OF the world. and would defend them
Treasury 70 purchase ,warships and every
American citizen to man them;
Representative Hit OF Illinois agrees In sub
stance with the sentiments expressed by Sena-
tors Davis and Frye. He says a blockade nay
be established under certain conditions, even in
time Of peace. and he cited number OF instances,
running as far back as 1884, to sustain his con.
tention. His citations were taken from Calvo,
The famous French internationai lawyer, Mr..
yailing that England is the prime mover in the
establishment OF the Cretan blockade. As a
the six powers to agree to the proposition, which
order to prevent a general European war.
The Eastern question is not generally
many Of us only have the sentimental and 80.
us. England is figuring upon getting her share
OF the sPoils when Turkey ls finally divided up
among the great nations Of Europe. Russia and
France are doing everything in their power TO
also have their eyes fixed steadily upon some OF
the, rich possessions in that slowly but surely
game In which the United States has not had
hand. The only excuse we have for breaking
into the contest is on the ground OF humanity or
sentimentality: From a practical standpoint
had better keep our hands of, for we have
no Iommo rcial interests that are involved and
there is no prospect Of the United States being
drawn into the complication.
Byhs United 'Associdted Pressss.
According to tho Official notification OF the
blockade OF Cretan ports, which was delivered
to Secretary Sherman to.day, merchant yessels
OF neutral powers, including those OF the United
States and OF the treaty powers, while subject
TO overhauling by the blockading warships OF
the cOncerting fleets are not to be disturbed in
their ordinary commercial occupations II they