Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-06-26


port IL she has escaped from a blockaded
port. .--. .... 3.
The crews OF blockade runners are not
enemies nor prisoners of war. and should
be treated with every consideration. Ihey
may be detained, however, as witnesses
before a prize court.
Neutral men-Of-war, as matter Oh cour-
tesy, should be allowed free passage to
and from blockaded port. Blockade run.
ming subjects the vessel to seizure, with
out regard to the nature of her cargo.
Under the head of right Of search, 1t Is
said that this right may be exercised
without previous notice on all neutral ves-
sells, but should be exercised with tact and
consideration. Full directions are 'given
as TO how this may be accomplished. A
blank shot Is to be fired and a small boat
is TO be sent aboard the neutral with an
officer to conduct the search. There may
be arms In the boat, but the men should
not wear them on their persons. II the
papers show that the vessel Is neutral and
trading between neutral powers, the ex-
animation goes no further. IL bound Tor
an enemy's port not biockaded. the pa
pers must be examined for contraband.
and If none is found she must be set free,
except under strong suspicion requiring
further search.
Neutral vessels carrying hostile dis
patches, when sailing as dispatch vessels
In the service of the enemy, are liable to
seizure, but not when she Is mail packet
and carrying them in the regular custom
ary manner without special arrangement.
The voyages of mail steamers are not to be
interfered with except on the clearest
ground rvfo OF suspcSSn. neutral r,Hetna VESSEL IN
troops is liable to seizure. Merchant ves-
sells OF the enemy are good prize. and
may be seized anywhere except in neutral
waters. A neutral flag covers enemy 5
goods with the exception of contraband.
The most important paragraph IN the
order is that which defines cOntraband OF
war, a subject concerning which the mari
time nations of the world are widely at
variance. 1t evidently has been the princi-
fact that we are not always to continue at
war, to reduce to the smallest limits the
list of contraband goods. lest we suffer as a
neutral. The section reads:
1.-The term cOntraband Of war compre-
hends only articles having beiligerent
destination, as to an enemy's port or fleet.
With this explanation, the following arti-
cles are for the present, to be treated as
contraband:
Absolutely Observation-Disclosures, ma
| chine guns and their appliances and the
parts thereof. armor plates and whatever
pertains to the offensive and defensive
armament of naval vessels, arms and in
struments of iron. STEEL brass or copper,
or any other material. such arms being
specially adapted use III war Dy laHu
or sea. torpedoes and their appurtenances,
cases for mines, of whatever material: en-
gineering and transport materials. such as
gun carriages, cassions, cartridge boxes.
campaigning forges. canteens, pontoons.
ordnance stores, portable range finders.
signal flags destined for naval use, am
munition and explosives of all kinds, ma
chinery for the manufacture of arms and
munitions of war, saltpeter. military ac-
coutrements and equipments of all sorts,
horses.
Conditional contraband-Coal. when des-
tined for paval station, a port of call or
a ship or ships of the enemy: materials fol-
the construction Of railways or telegTaphs
and money. when such materials or money
are destined for an enemy's ship or ships
or for a place that is besieged.''
Under the head Of prizes, II Is said that
| imminent danger of recapture would jus y
| the destruction of the ship If there was nc
doubt she was good prize. They will also
be DESTROYED If they cannot be sold. If un.
| sseaworthy or infected with disease or lack.
| ing prize crew. Any person who removes
anything unnecessarily from prize i.
made subject to g court-martial and pun
| ishment. and the same penalty is provided II
any person in the navy maltreats or strips
| the clothing from person on prize.
The order will be sent out Immediately tc
| all naval officers on the blockading sta.
| ton.