Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
AS TO BLOCKADEs.
The Definition as Contained i'm De-
cIaratiOn of Paris.
philadelphia L.edger)

cIaratiOn of Paris.
philadelphia Ledger)
The southern ports felt the inconyeni-
ence of effective blockade during the civil
war, and 1t is possible that an attempt
will be made to blockade important sea-
ports of the United States. Distance from
her base of operations will, however,
make it extremely difficult, If not impos-
| sible, for Spain TO maintain what IS
known in international law as an "effec-
| tive" blockade. Unless it be effective in
the legal. international sense, neutral
commerce is not bound to respect it.
| Once established, a blockade can be ter
] minated only in two ways-by voluntary
REIMBURSEMENT by the belligerent that tried
| to establish It, or by the raising of the
blockade by the enemy. Neutral vessels
are subject to search by either "bellige-
rent" for "contraband Of war" for arti-
cles manufactured and primarily or ordl-
narily used for military purposes in time
OF war. and destined for the use of the
| hostile nation in war. Contraband arti-
Giles are subject 20 capture ION the high
enemy in his military preparations; but
by an effective" blockade a bellgerent
may not only prohibit the entry of
"contraband," but of all articles Of com
merce found I'm any vessel neutral or
otherwise. The penalty for running
blockade is forfeiture Of the vessel and
its cargo.
1t is not necessary that an effective"
blockade should be maintained along the
entire coast of an enemy's country to give
q belligerent the right of seizure. The
belligerent may designate one or more
ports against which blockade is TO be
maintained. Probably the best definition
Of an effective" blockade is that con-
tanned in the declaration of Paris, TO
which all the civilized nations formally
assented, except Spain and the United
States. The fourth article Of the declara-
ton says that blockades, I'm order 10 be
binding must be effective-that is to say
maintained by a force sufficient really 10
prevent access 10 the coast of an enemy.
The United States, Notwithstanding her
failure to assent to all the principles enun-
ciated in the declaration of Paris, has ac-
cepted this definition. One of the Ameri-
can authorities upon international law
says that the belligerent who declares
blockade must place sufficient force
at the blockaoed points TO make him mas
ter of them. The same authority holds
that a force sufficient 20 make the pas
sage 10 or from the closed port EEK
tremely DANGEROUS" is all that is neces-
sary. The mere attempt to run such a
blockade subjects the vessel and cargo to
the penalty Of seizure and condemna-
ton.
The authorities have much to say re-
the necessity OF giving notice 10
that a blockade has been or is |
bout to be established at any port. The |
belligerent resorting to this method Of |
stopping the commerce Of the enemy |
must issue a public proclamation. fixing |
the date upon which the blockade is TO |
take effect. This proclamation must be |
issued a reasonable time before the block |
ade is established. IT is the safer prac- |
tice under the law OF nations to warn
away vessels approaching the blockaded ,
port. although the public proclamation
has been given. This practice has been i,
followed by the United States, as appears |
by the proclamation issued by Mr.. Lih-
.oln April 10. 1861, and II would doubt
ess be observed IL II were deemed expe-
lient 10 declare a. blockade against Gu
BAN ports.
Mr.. Lncoln's proclamation announced
that a competent naval force woulo Dc
posted so as 10 prevent vessels from en-
tering or departing from the secedihg
,onthern ports, and II with view 10
violate such blockade any vessel should
attempt TO leave any OF the SAID ports ~