The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-20
An In demnity Will Be
Paid.
Statement of the Case In
Reichstag Yesterday.

Berlin, January 19.-In the Reiohstaz
today the debate on Herr Moeliers joint
Interpolation OF the government regard
Ing the seizure o; German steamer by
British warships WAS opened. Herr
Moellsr said vigorous expression must be
given to the indignatio felt at tho faot
that the subsidized line to which the
seized vessels belonged. had observed the
strlctest neutrality, and he expressed the
opinion that the matter should furnish
the opportunity of defining the rights Of
mail steamers. The unloading Of the
Bundersath, he added, could have been
effected In few days. The delay showed
want of consideration for International
courtesy, and 1t should be made inoum-
bent upon the British officials to an
nouuce whether and to what extent their
visws in regard to the rights of mail
steamers had bsen changed. The action,
the speaker continued, appeared arbitrary
and It was Germany's duty to demand
security for her ships In the future from
all maritime nations
The minister Of foreign affairs, Count
Nou 4buotoWp SoRAiuAs AAcAoAtsuS ~ sesS
fact that there was no fixed rule Of mari
tine law regarding the rights OF neutrals
to carry on trade with bsliigerent
countries, he said,
1t has been repeatedly proposed that the
points Of international maritime law now
In dispute should be settled by inter-
national agreements, but attempts In this
direction have always failed owing to the
difficulties arising from the divergent
view Of the po wsrs. xhe German empire
win not withheld issr concurrence and
support n. with the cooperation Of the
other powers, 10 would appear possible by
means Of an International agreement to
get nearer settlement Of the disputed
points If maritime law. would like an
ageement with the other governments
concerned 10 establish the following
rules.
Firstly-Neutral merchant vessels on
the high seas or In the territorial waters
of belligerents shall, part from the
right Of convoy which Is not raised in
the present. be subj ,ot to the right Of
search BY the warships OF beiligsrents.
This applies. without doubt. in waters
not too remote from the scene of war.
Secondiy-The rigat Of search shall be
exercised with as much lenisncy as
possible.
Thirdly-Should a neutral ship, when
requested to stop. refuse to do SO or on
examination OF her papers disclose irregu-
larities. or should the presence Of contra
band be established, neutral may be
seized and delivered to competent prize
court.
Fourthly-The term oontrahand shall
include only goods or persons suitable for
use In war and intended for one Of the
beiligerents.
Fifthly-Any contraband discovered, to
be liable TO oonfiscation. Whether with
or without compensation depends on the
particular circumstances.
Sixthly-If the arrest Of q ship Is un-
justified, the belligsrents shall be bound
to release this ship and cargo without
delay and pay full indemnify for the
damage and injury.
Count Won Buelow proceeded:
''In the present position Of practical in
ternational law, no protest chn be sus-
tained against the arrest OF the three Ger
man steamers. On the other hand. the
conveying of the Bundesrath and Herzog
to Durham without adequately founded
suspicion and the discharge Of the
cargo Of the Re:zog and OF
the Bundesrath and General, do
not appear to have been Justified by inter-
national law. Great Britain objected to
this theory which holds that goods on Il
neutral vssssi, consigned from neutral