Evening star., 1898-05-19
As TO BLoCHADEs.
The Definition as Contained in the
Declaration OF Paris.
rrOm the Philadelphia Ledger.

E'Hrts.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
The sorthern ports felt the Inconvenience
of effective blockade during the civil war,
and 1t is possible that an attempt will be
made to blockade important seaports of the
United States. Distance from her base of
operations will. however. make it extreme
ly difficult. IL not impossible. for Spain to
maintain what is known in international
law as an effective blockade Unless il
be effective in the legal international sense,
neutral commerce is not bound to respect
II. Once established a blockade can be ter
minated only in two ways-by voluntary re-
inquishmsnt by the belligerent that tried
10 estaoiish IL, or by the raising of the
blockade by the enemy. Neutral vessels are
subject to search by either "belligerent'' for
contraband of war" for articles manufac-
tured and primarily or ordinarily used for
nilltary purposes In time of war. and des-
tined for the use OF the hostile nation in
war. Contraband articles are subject to
capture on the high seas II thus destined
Tor the use Of the enemy in his mil
itary preparations; but by an effective
blockade a belligerent may not only pro-
hibit the entry OF ''contraha nd" but of all
articles of commerce found in any vessel.
neutral or otherwise. The penalty for run
ming blockade is forfeiture of the vessel
and its cargo.
1t is not necessary that an effective
blockade should be maintained along the
=
a Delligerent the right of seizure. The bell
ligerent may designate one or more ports
against which blockade is TO be maintained.
Probably the best definition of an "eflec-
tive blockade IL that contained in the dec
larat!on of Paris. to which all the civilized
nations formally assented, except Spain and
the United States. The fourth article OF the
declaration says that blockadeS. in order 10
be binding. must be effective. that is 10 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 anun-
ciated in the declaration Of Paris. has ac-
cepted this definition. One of the Ameri-
can authorities upon international law says
that the belliSerent who declares a block
ade must place a sufficient force al the
bockaded points to make him master OF
them. The same authority holds that
force sufficient TO make The passage 10 or
from the clos I'd port ''CNtre nely dangerous
Is all that is necessary. Tine 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 regard
ing the necessity of giving notice TO neu-
trails that a blockade has been or is about
TO be established 1T any port. The bellIger-
ent resortlng to this method OF stopping the
commerce OF the enemy must issue a pub
lie proclamation. fixing the date upon which
| the blockade is TO take effect. This procla-
nation must be issued a reasonable time
before the blockade is established. IL is the
safer practice under the law of nations TO
warn away vessels approaching the block
| AIDED port, although the public proclamation
mas been given. This practice has been fol-
| lowed by the United States. as appears by
| the proclamation issued by Mr.. Lincoln,
| April -, 1861, ard il would doubtless be OBJ
| served if il Were deemed expedient to de-
| ciare a blockade against Cuban ports.
Mr.. Lincoln's proclamation announced
that competent naval force would be post
| ed SO to prevent vessels from entering
| II departing from the seeding southern
| ports, and if with view to violate such
blockade any vessel should attempt 10 leave
| any of the said ports ii should be duly
| warned" by the commander of one of The
b!ockading vessels, who was required To in
dorse on the register Of the offending ship
| the fact and date Of such warning. If the
same vessel should again attempt TO enter
| or leave the blockaded port, she woulI be
captured and sent to the nearest convent mt
| port for sach proceedings against her and
her cargo a might be deemed advisable.
| This is the great American precedent as to
| official notice respecting the establishment
| CT blockade. Tie blockade of the confedcr-
ate ports played an ceeiingly important
| role in the suppression OF the rebellion 10y
preventing the augmentation of southern
| resources from foreign countries.