The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-26

titled to- Notice.
WASHINGTON. June 25.-Under the head
of instructions to blockadng vessels and
cruisers the navy department has issued
General Order 1872. which is likely to be here
after complete epitome of the best interna-
tioral law relating to b.ockades. The work
has been in progress for months, and the b1st
legal talent in the state war and navy de-
partments have participated in framing the
order. The duties of master of block
aiding vessel are clearly set out in detail, and
neutral acting in good faith would have
excuse for complaint if the .etter of the cir
cular is followed in the case of blockados.
The very first definition lays down in final
form a principle of international law that is
bound to arouse the opposition of the Span
iards and perhaps of their sympathizers in
Europe for 1t enlarges considerably the mar
row limits of effectiveness of a blockade as
construed by the Spaniards and made basis
of protest by them to the powers. 1t is said
"a blockade to be effective and binding must
be maintained by force sufficient to render
ingress to and egress from port dangerous.
The continuity of blockade is not broken If
the blockading vessels. are driven away by
stress of weather or absent on chase. but
1t Is broken If they leave voluntarily or are
driven away by the enemy's force
The suspension Of a blockade involves .
new notification and is serious matter.
NEUTRAL VESSELS.
Under the head of notification to neutrals
it is stated that neutral vessels are emitted
to notice of blockade before seizure. But
this notification may be gwen by proclama-
ton, by common notoriety or by notice from
vessel of the blockading force. The rule
is to be construed with liberaiity, however.
Vessels attempting to enter port after notice
are prizes. save in certain cases covered by
treaty.
neutral vessel may, in good faith sa !
from blockaded port with an alternative
destination to be decided upon by information
as to the continuance of the blockade, abb
tanned at neutral port. But she must OBJ
tain this notice before she reaches a pcrt.
Vessels in blockaded ports will be allowed
thirty days to leave after the blockade Is
declared. Vessels resisting visit or present ng
fraudulent papers or attempting escape,
should be seized With the termination of a
voyage, blockade runners danger ends, but
she is liable to capture at any time before
she reaches her home port II she has escaped
from blockaded port
CONTRABAND OF WAR.
The most important paragraph in he crdar
is what defines contraband OF war, subject
concerning which the maratlme nations CT
the world are widely at variance. 1t eviden--
y has been the principle of our government,
recognizing the fact that We are not always
to continue at war to redIce 10 the smalles.
limits the list. of contraband goods lest we
suffer in turn as neutral The section
reads:
''The term contraband of war conprehends
only articles having a belligerent destination
as to an enemy's port or fleet With this ex-
PLANTATION the following articles are, for the
present to be treated as contiahani:
Absolutely Observation-Disclosures, machine
guns and their appliances, and the parts
thereof; armor plate and whatever pertains
to the offensive and defensive armament of
naval vessels; arms and instruments sof iron,
steel, brass or copper, or of any other mater
ial, such arms and instruments being spe-
cially adapted for use in war by land or sea;
torpedoes and their appurtenances; cases for
mines whatever material.
transport materials, such gun carriages,
caissons, cartridge boxes, campaigning
forges. canteens, pontoons, ordnance store,
portable range finders. sigma! Tags destined
for naval use: ammunition of all kinds; ma
chinery for the manufacture of arms and
munitions of war; saltpeter,f military ac-
couterments and equipments of all sorts,
horses.
"Conditionally Contraband-Coal, when des-
tined for naval station materials for the
construction of railways or telegraphs, and
money, when such materials or money are
destined for an enemy's ship or ships or for
PLACE that is besieged.''