The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-23
Was F'OUQht Of The
Coast Of Florida
The Thrilling Sight Was Witnessed by Reliable Parties Who
State that The Ships we're Still Engaged in Hot
Conflict as they Disappeared from Sight

state department lllS dittlhO'l 'tN
dressed an identical note to all of the
representatives Of foreign nations ac-
credited to Washington notifying them
of the policy to be pursued by this gov
ernment in the matter of privatering and
neutrality. This was followed by the
sending of cable messages to all Ameri-
can embassies and legations abroad, con
tanning the same information in n little
more succinct form for presentation to
the governments to which they are ac-
credited. The statement was precisely
similar in terms to that telegraphed by
the Associated Press last Wednesday
and its formal adoption by the govern
ment as the line of policy to be pursued
was not prevented by the criticism pass
ed uDon it in the Senate yesterday by
Mr.. Money, of Mississippi. In brief il
declares that our government will not
resort to privateering. that enemy s
goods in neutral bottoms, save contra
band, are exempt from seizure: that neu-
tral goods not contraband. under enc
my's flag are safe from seizure and that
blockade 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 privatncring
for they are satisfied that the. great com
nlercial powers will not tolerate the
practice of nrivateering under the Span
isl flag. Inasmuch as there exists Il
great amount of msapprehension not
only among foreign countries but also
among American shippers as to the
f.I, rE q,
band and liable to seizure during the
progress of war. the following unofficial
but authentic statement has been oh
tained from Il high official of the gov
ernment:
'Contraband of war.
In determining, according TO the law
of nations. whether merchandise is con
traband of war. il is classified:
Il. Absolute contraband.
:? Occasional or conditional contra
band
=. Goods not contraband
THE first class includes all goods Of
an essenetially warlke 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
use of the enemy. They are contraband
or not, according to occasions and tends
rs to their character, shipment and des-
tined use. Every such case depends on
its own facts.
THE third class includes articles not
suited to warlike use-such as church
service and musical Instruments. house
hold wares aud goods, and other such
like articles, and including many that
are purely mercantile in character.
NO article of merchandise is contra
band unless transported beyond the ter
| ritorial waters and jurisdiction of a
| neutral state; nor unless destined for
an enemy's port or for any enemy's use
or for an enemys ship on the high seas.
which beligcrent ships are permitted to
police in search Of enemy's ships and
c0ntrabando war.
NO final and exhaustive definition of
contraband articles can be given. They
| are changing with the progress of inveIl-
t1ons. Some articles were formerly con
| traband which now are not; and the
converse is true.
| Neither belligerent can treat goods
ms contraband in violation of of that
as contraband in violation of his treaty
| supulations with Il neutral power as
| regards the subject of the
power. Any one desiring to ship goods
TO foreign port in neutral vessels would
profitably consult any existing treaties
between Spain and the government OF
that port
| THE belligerent right Of capture as
against a neutral exists only either il
| case of contraband of war of enemy
goods aboard, or of violation of an
| effective blockade, and in other analo.
gous eases where the conduct of the
| neutral justifies the beligerent in treat
! ing his property as enemy property. Ii
| Spain adheres to the principle free
ships, free goods as this government
proposes to do only cOntraband goods are
subject to capture in such ships"
| Inquiry at the Navy Department as
| to the story that our government has
arranged for the seizure of the Hawai-
ian islands and the establishment of &
coaling station in Hawaii failed to Sc
cure any positive statement on the sub
ject. There is good authority for be
lieving that the story is exaggerated anC
al that has been done is to provide fol
the establishment Of a cOaling depo
and its adequate protection.
The naval officials feel every conf