The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-05

CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, THURSDAY. NAY 5.
THE DrrY OF xEuTRALs.

THE DITY OF NEuTRALs.
30 far, during the progress OF the
war. we have been fortunate In nos
having been called upon TO exercise our
rfeht OF search of vessels sailing under
Z neutral flag. One British ship was
csntured a few days ago. but was
promptly released upon proof OF iden-
tity. Nevertheless. our declaration OF
an intention not 10 modest neutrais does
not release them from certain RESPONSE
billy, both in respecting blockade ana
our rights 10 prevent the carrying OF
contrabapd of war. Notwithstanding
official announcements of neutrality
on the part OF powers. IL sometimes
happens that tramp vessels win be
tempted. By the hope OF gain. to act in
defiance of the regulations laid down
by the government under whose flag
they are sailing. If. therefore. even
British vessel should be caught violat-
tng the laws OF war. II would have to
suffer, and Great Britain could not be
held accountable for its act. The pun
ishment would be confiscation. either In
whole or In part. according TO the OF
fensiveness of the vessels recalcitrancy.
We must have recourse again to the
declaration OF Paris. as 1t Is known In
international law. for a definition of the
rights and responsibilities of neuirals.
The neutral flag protects enemies goods
with the exception Of contraband OF
war: and neutral goods. except contra
band of war. are not liable to capture
under the nag OF the enemy. The gen.
erai opinion Is that American property,
ii no. eontraband Of war. will practical
" be protected from seizure II carried In
neutral vessels, but this Immunity viii
be subject to the right Of visitation and
search 10 determine the character of the
ship and her cargo. hut even with this
understanding. II IL considered very
Improbable that Americans win be able
10 recover from Spain for any damage
or loss sustained by their property, car
ried in neutral vessel. where the dam
age or loss was oecasioned through the
act OF Spanish war vessels in demand
Ing and executing their right of search.
Spain IL notorious and even Infamous
for its methods of war We may I've
sure that II will take advantage II
every opportunity To destroy our prop
erty and harass our maritime COM
nerce wherever II can aud by every
means ia its power.
Neutrality on the part u a power
means that II will continue 20 be at
peace with and win wholly abstain
from taking any part IN The hostilities
az the helligerents. International law
has laid down some general rules impos-
Ing responsibilities upon neutrality
which have the effect Of exposing TO
confscation for default. with the fur
Their consequence that Insurance policies
OF are void absolutely in the hostile
country and only valid IN a neutral
country. when made with notice Of the
nature of the risk.
Neutrais must not, during the conttn.
nance 81 hoSsnlties, furnish either bel
liserents with warlike stores gr articles
generally regarded as ''coDtraband ~
war" They must not engage in any
traffic In violation of hiockades, estah-
iishea In an effective manner. Neutral
ships are liable TO and should 10; resist
being searched. that being done for ths
purpose OF aseertaialng their identity
and their observance 90 neutrai condi-
tiens.
Neutral powers have the right to de-
clare in advance what they shall each
regard respectively as cOatrahand OF
war. The act IL Great Britain in de-
eiar.ng coal 10 be eaniraband is some
what navel and IS due 10 the changed
conditions az naval warfare. When q
navy consisted ~ only sailing vessels
no such restrictions were necessary.
The old practice used To ha only 20 re.
gard as eontrahand materials aanafar.
tored for the direct purposes of war.