The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-23
THE FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR HAS BEEN FIRED
United States Monitor Sharp Chase Spanish War Off the
Coast Of Forida-The Nashville Makes Prize of
Spanish Merchantmen.

regard entertained for him by the ad-
ministration. Captain Bradford will he
given one OF the best of the available
ships in the navy.
The naval authorities welcomed with
pleasure the manifestation of patriot
ism on the part of the distinguished
New York citizen in rendering To the
government without compensation his
speedy steam yacht.
Following up the formalities begin
ming with the blockade proclamation,
the state department this afternoon ad-
dressed an Identical note TO all of the
representatives of the foreign nations
accredited to Washington, notifying
them of the policy to be pursued by this
government in the matter OF privateer-
ing and neutrality. This was followed
by sending a cable message to all
American embassies and legations
abroad containing the same information
in little more succinct form for pre-
sentation to the governments to which
they are. accredited. The statement
was precisely similar i'm terms to that
telegraphed by the associated press last
Wednesday. and its formal adoption by
tthe government as the line of policy to
be pursued was not prevented by the
criticism passed upon IL in the senate
yesterday by Mr. Money of Mississippi
In brief, il declares that our govern
ment will not resort TO privateering,
that enemies goods on neutral boats.
save contraband, are exempt from seiz-
ure. 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 Off
Gals are not disturbed at the semi
official notice from Madrid that Spain
will refuse to be bound by the same
principles and forbid privateerng. for
they are satisfied that the great COM
mercial powers will not tolerate the !
practice of privateering under the Span !
ish flag. Inasmuch as there exists a
great amount of misapprehenslon. not !
only among foreign countries. but also |
among American shippers. as to the |
character of merchandise that is con-
traband and liable to seizure during the |
progress of war; the following unoff- |
cial but authentic statement has been |
obtained from high government Off
cial:
"Contraband of War-In determining. |
according to the law OF nations, wheth- |
er merchandise is contraband of war, IL |
is classified: Cd absolute contraband, |
t2) occasional or conditional contra
band. 90 goods not contraband.
The first class includes all goods of |
an essentially warlike character.
THE second class includes provisions.
of machinery. certain kinds of steel.
iron, etc, which are subservient To
warlike use and designed for the use
of the enemy. They are contra band or
not, according to occasion and condi-
tions. as to their character. shipment
and destined use. Every such. case de-
pends upon its own facts.
The third class includes articles not
suited to warlike use, such as church
service and musical instruments. house
hold wares and goods and other such
warlike articles, and including many
that are purely a merchandise article
mo article of merchandise is contra
band unless transported beyond the
territorial waters and jurisdiction of a
neutral state, nor unless destined for
an cnemy's port, or for an enemy's use.
or for an enemy's ships on the high
seas. which belligerent ships are per-
mitted to search for contraband of
war. No final and exhaustive definition
Of contraband articles can be given.
They are changing with the progress
Of invention. Some articles were for
merly contraband which are not. and
the converse is true.
Each belligerent government is COM
petent TO determine what IL will treat
as contraband. Its prescription of con-
traband articles is exclusive. If such
prose ription should be made in out
disregard of international law
Or treaty rights. neutral states affected
would probably interfere Neither bel
igerent can treat goods as contraband
N violation Of his treaty stipulations
with a neutral power as regards the
subjects of that power Any one de-
string TO shin goods to a foreign port
n neutral vessels would profitably con-
Iult any existing treaties between Spain
ina the government of that port.
The belligerent rights of capture as
against a neutral exists only either in
4 case of contraband of war or of
,nemy's goods aboard or of a violation
II an effective blockade and in other
analogous cases whether the conduct
II the neutral justifies the belligerent
N treating his property as enemy
property. II Spain adheres to the prin-
,iples free ships. free goods as this
proposes TO do, only con-
raband goods are subject to capture in
'uch ships
Inquiry at the navy department as
% the story that our government had
lrranged for the seizure Of the Ha-
xaiian islands and the establishment
u a coaling station in Hawaii. failed