The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-22
CHEERS IN THE COMMONS
IlRITIsHERs PLEASED AT THE poll
icy OF THE UNITED STATES.
Statement Made by Mr.. BaIfour that
This Country Would Not Resort
TO Priyateering.

LONDON. April 21.-Replying in the
House of Commons to-day to Sir Arthur
Bower Forwood, Conservative. Mr. Balfour.
the government leader and acting secretary
of state for foreign affairs, said in regard
to neutral vessels that the government had
received from the United States this morn
ing a notification that it would adhere to
the principles of the treaty of Paris. The
announcement was greeted with cheers.
Mr.. Balfour announced that no answer on
the subject had been received from Spain.
Michael Davitt, Irish Nationalist, asked
whether the government would consider the
advisability Of notifying the British col
onies and British merchants that coal must
be considered contraband of war during
the continuance of the hostilities between
Spain and the United States
Mr.. Balfour replied: Her Majesty's gov
eminent cannot lay down the principle that
coal is contraband in the way suggested.
There is no doubt that it very frequently is
contraband, but not of necessity or under
all circumstances" Mr. Balfour added:
1.-THE treaties of 1895 and 1919 between Spain
and the United States affirming between
themselves the principle that a neutral flag
covers the enemy's goods are still in force.
Whether a steamer carrying American or
Spanish official dispatches after war is de-
clared is liable to seizure must depend on
the facts in the case. No general answer
can be given Continuing, Mr. Balfour
said: II confidently expect the same
answer from Spain"
Answering the question which Mr.. Dalziel
gave notice yesterday of putting to-day,
namely, whether steps are to be taken to
detain the Spanish torpedo boat Adauz, now
locked at Queenstown for repairs, in the
event of war breaking out before the re-
pairs are completed, SO as to prevent a
repetition of the Alabama case" Mr.. Bal
four said that as he understood it to be
the case the Adauz is a commissioned ship
of the Spanish navy and it would be con-
trary to international practice to detain her
The attorney general, Sir Richard Web
ster, replying to James H. Dalziel, Liberal
said that in view of the declaration of the
United States and acts of Spain upon
previous occasions the government could
not contemplate that there would be any
interference with British goods on board
ships belonging to the belligerents or on
board British ships except contraband of
war. AS to privateers the attorney general
added: IF the employment of such vessels
is sanctioned action will depend on the
views OF the belligerentS in regard to their
rights of interference with neutral COM
MERGE"
Replying to Rear Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford, Mr.. Balfour said he did not be-
lieye the interests of British shipowners
were threatened mere in this case than in
other cases of maritime warfare, adding
that he did not believe it possible to give an
exhaustive definition of contraband of war.
The Daily Chronicle publishes this morn
ing letter from Sir Charles Dixie, Radical
member of Parliament for the Forest of
Dean. Sir Charles Dixie says in part; IF
n blockade of Cuba is established which
proves effective and would therefore be
binding on neutrals, there is not likely to
be considerable amount of blockade run
ming. The Spaniards are not in possession
of force to make it possible to proclaim
an effective blockade of any considerable
portions of the United States and it is there
fore unnecessary to take a blockade very
largely into account"
With respect to the searching of neutral
vessels. after discussing the legal history of
the principle, Sir Charles Dixie says: Y
pity Spain if she acts on the judgme
of our prize courts in the great war, as she
has the nominal right to do. That we
should go to war with her in a few days
on her taking such steps there is not the
least doubt.