The herald., 1898-04-23
PUTS TWO WAR MEASURES INTO
EFFECT
FOREIGN NATIONS NOTIFIED
That the United States Will Not Re-
sort to Observation-Disclosures
of War Defined
Associated Press Special Wire

two important steps in Washington toward
activities, not to metnion the overt act IN
yolyed in the seizure Of the Spanish ves-
sci Buena Ventura off Key West. The
first was the issue by the president of his
proclamation announcing to the world
blockade of a number Of Cuban ports
and the second was the signing by him OF
the bill providing for the utilization OF the
volunteer forces in war. Then, in addition,
there was a notable retirement from the
navy department in the case OF Captain
r. B. Bradford, chief of the equipment
division. Captain Bradford Is not only an
officer of high scientific attainments. but is
equipped as well in practical experience In
naval matters. Although he has not yec
held his present Office long, and by custom
he is entitled to nearly three years OF
further service here, he has become SO i'm
patient to Join In active service that he
today addressed the following letter to the
president:
II respectfully tender my resignation rs
chief of the bureau of equipment OF the
navy department. 1t has been a grea-
pleasure to serve during your administra-
ton in my present capacity. and I beg
to express my thanks for the honor con-
ferred upon me by your appointment to
such a responsible office. This resignation
Is rendered only that may ask for active
service afoat."
Captain Bradford addressed a similar let
ter to Secretary Long, with the addition of
q request to have command of an active
warship. The resignation will be accept
ed and by virtue of his rank, as well as to
mark the high regard entertained for him
by the administration, Captain Bradford
will be given one of the best available
ships in the navy.
The naval authorities welcomed with
pleasure the manifestation of patriotism
on the part Of a distinguished New York
citizen in rendering to the government,
without compensation, his speedy steam
yacht.
Following up the formalities beginning
with the blockade proclamation, the state
department this afternoon addressed an
identical note to all of the representatives
of the foreign nations accredited to Wash
ington. notifying them Of the policy to be
pursued by this government In f,.-
Va r...~.~s. ,..7- sutrality. This was
followed by the sending Of cable messages
to all American embassies and legations
abroad containing the same information
In little more succinct form for presenta-
tion to the governments to which they are
accredited. The statement was precisely
similar in terms to that telegraphed by
the Associated Press last Wednesday, and
Its formal adoption by the government as
the line of policy to be pursued was not
prevented by the criticism passed upon 1t
In the senate yesterday by Money OF Mis-
eissippi. In brief, it declares that our
government will not resort to privateering.
that the enemy's goods on neutral bot
Tins, save contraband, are exempt from
seizure; that neutral goods not contra
band, under enemy's flag, are exempt from
seizure, and that blockades to be binding
must be effective. In substance, these are
the principles laid down in the agreement
of Paris of 1856.
The officials are not disturbed at the
semi-official notice from Madrid that
Spain will refuse to be bound by the same
principles and forbid privateering, for
they are satisfied that the great CONNER
cial powers will not tolerate the practice
of privateering under the Spanish flag.
Inasmuch as there exists great amount
of Misrepresentation, not only among for
eign countries but also among American
shippers, as to the character of merchan-
disc that is contraband and liable to seiz-
ure during the progress of war. the fol-
lowing unofficial but authentic statement
has been obtained from high official
of the government
In determining, according to the law of
nations. whether merchandise is contra
band Of war, 1t is classified:
l. Absolute contraband.
2. Occasional or conditional contraband.
3. Goods not contraband.
TALLY warlike character.
The second class includes provisions.
naval stores. coal, horses, certain kinds
of machinery certain forms Of steel,
iron, etc.. which are subservient to war
like use and which are destined for the
use of the enemy. They are contraband
or not. according to occasion and condI-
tions as to the character, shipment and
destined use.
Every such case depends on its own
facts.
The third class includes articles not
suited to - like use. such as church
service and <nusical instruments, house.
hold wares and goods and other such ar
ticles and including many that are purely
of a mercantile character.
No article of merchandise is contraband
unless transported DeyOnd the territorial
waters and Jurisdiction of neutral state
nor unless destined for an enemy's port
or for an enemy's use or for an enemy's
ship on the high seas, which the bellig-
erent ships are permitted to police in
search of enemy's ships and contraband
Of war.
No final and exhaustive definition of
contraband articles can be given. They
are changing with the progress of inven-
tion. Some articles were formerly contra
band which are not now. and the converse
is true.
Each belligerent government is compe-
tent to determine what 1t will treat as
contraband. No prescription of contra
band articles Is conclusive. II such pro
scription should be made in outrageous
disregard of international law or treaty
rights. neutral states affected would prob
ably interfere. Neither belligerent can
treat goods as contraband In violation of
his treaty stipulations with a neutral
power as regards the subjects of that
power. Anyone desiring to ship goods to