New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-27
THE LAW As TO BLOCfADES.
INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE NAVY DE-
PARTMENT


PARTMENT.
Washington. June 26-Unier the head OF In
s,rpc,ions 10 Blockading Vessels and Cruisers the
Navy Department has issued General order No. 80
which is likely to be hereafter regarded as com
nlete eotorne OF the best international law relating
10 hlookados The work has been IN progress ior
two months ard the best legal minds In the 9'a'e'
War end Navy departments have taken part !"
framing the order. The duties OF the master Vi
blockading vessel clearly set out IN detail anu
no neutral acting in good faith would nave eN-
cuse for complaint II the letter OF the circu'a W.
followed The first definition lays down In maj
form a principle Of international law that Is Do'''n
10 arouse the opposition of the Spaniards anu per
haps Of their sympathizers In Europe ioi ~
largcs considerably the narrow limits OF t"c."N
ness Of a blockade construed by the Si"''Hi"'
AMI made the basis OF protest Nv them 10 '"e
Powers Is says: "A blockade TO be effective anu
70 he binding must he maintained by force SUI
rcIcnt 10 render ngress to and egreSs from a POI
daugerous Tho continuity Of n blockade j. ho'
broken Il the hlockading vessels are driven away ny
stress Of weather or are absent on chase ou' "
is broken II they leave voluntarily or are ufFe"
away =. the enemy's forces" TIE suspension OF
hIock,de Involves a new notification and is seri-
Gus matter.
Under the head Of notification 10 neu'rals II IS
said that neutral vessels are entitled TO notce Oh
blockade before seizure. But this notice may De
given by proclamation. by common notoriety' OF ~
notice from vessel Of the blockading force. The
rIle is TO be construed with nberafy, however
Vessels attempting TO enter port after notice a'e
rrizes eycent In certain covered by treaty
A neutral vessel may In good faith sail Tor a DOCK
AIDED port with alternative destination 10 ne ~
ciied on by Information as TO the con unuance OF
the blockade obtained at a neutral po't. bu' sle
must obtain this notice before she reaches port
Vessels in hockaded ports will have thirty days to
denart after the blockade is declared Vessels re-
sisting visit or presenting fraudulent papers, or
attempting 10 escape. should be seized win the
termination OF voyage blockade runners DANGER
ends but she Is liable 10 capture at any Tune oeiore
she reaches her home port If she has escaped from
a hlockaded port. The crews of blockade-run-
ners are not enemies nor prisoners OF war, and
should be treated with every considerations They
may be detained, however. as witnesses before
prize court.
Neutlu. ncn-of-war. matter Of courtesy
biocSaded port Blockade-runn.ng subjects the
vessel TO seizure without regard TO the nature OF
her cargo
THE RIGHT OF SEARCH.
Under the head Of right Of search. II is said that
this right may he exercised without previous
notice on all neutral vessels but should be exer-
cised with tact and consideration Full directions
are given as to how this ay be accomplished.
blank shot IL TO be fired and small boat is 10 be
sent to board the neutral with an officer 10 conduct
the search. There may be arms Al the boat. but
the men should not them their persons.
II the papers show that the vessel is neutral and
trading between neutral ports. the examination
goes no further. II bound TO an enemys port not
blockaded. the papers must be examined for contra
hand and II none Is found she must be free,
ceDt under strong suspicion requiring further
%ritral vessels carrying hostile dispatches when
sailing a. dispatch vessels IN the service of the
enemy are liable seizure. but not when a mail
racket carries them in the regular and customary
without special ARRANGEMENT. The VOy
ages Of mail steamers are not TO be interered with
neutral Ttsse in the service Of the enemy trans
porting troops is liable TO seizure; Merchant yes
seized anywhere. except in neutral waters. neu-
trail flag covers enemy's goods. with the exception
OF coniraband.
CONTRABAND OF WAR
The most important paragraph in the order Ia
that which defines contraband Of war. subject
concerning which the maritime nations OF the
world widely at variance. II evidently has
been the principle Of this Government. recognizing
the fact that 1t is not always 10 continue at war.
to reduce 10 the smallest limits the list Of contra
band boods. lest It suffer in turn as neutral
The term contraband OF war comprehends only
articles having bellgercnt destination, a. 10 an
enemy's port IT fleet. WIN TINS explanation, me
ABSOLUTELY CONTRABAND.-ordnan
thereof; arn.orplatc and whatever pertains to he
offensive ana defensive armament Of naval vessels,
arms and instruments Of iron. steel brass cop
per. or Of any other material. such arms ana m
s.Tumcnts being specially adapted for use in war
10y auD sea. tOrpedOes and their appurte nances.
cases for mines OF whatever material. engineering
and transport materials. SUcn gun carriages.
caizsOns cartridges boxes, campaigning forges.
canteens. pOntOOuS. ordnance stores. portable
finders signal flags destined for naval use. amrnu-
milton and explosives Of all kinds, machinery for
the manufacture Of arms and munitions OF war:
ai'pctre; military accOutrements and equipments
OF all sorts, horses.
destined 10. 4 naval station. port Of call or ship
ships Of the enemy. material for Tie constr
ton Of railways or tcleeraphs. and money. when
such materials OF money arc destined for the enc
mys nip or ships. or tor place that Is besicr"i.
Under the head OF prizes. Il j. said that imni-
nent danger Ok rccapturc would justify the de-
structiOn OF the ship II there doubt that
she good prizs. Prizes Will also De destroyed
IL they cannot be sold. y unscdWprfhy. infected
with dseasa lacking prize crew. Any person
who removes anything unnecessarily from prize
Is made subject TO court martial and punishment,
ard the same penalty is provided II any person IN
thc Navy malueais or strips the clothing from
person a prize shli
Tie order viii be CERT out Immediately 10 all
naval officers the blOckading station