The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-17

ment in regard to the so-called pacific
blockade:
zine action of Great Britain and Ger
many in front of Venezuela is known as
pacific blockade 1t is means OF con-
straint short of war. which was first APP
piled in 1877 by the squadrons of England,
France and Russia TO force Turkey TO
compliance with the demands of these three
powers while they professed to be at
peace with her. And this mode OF forcing
obedience by weak 10 the demand OF a
strong power has been practiced frequent
~ since that time; and notably against
the South American states. Thus by Eng
land against New Grenada in 1885; France
against Mexico in 1898. and France and
England against La Plata from 1S45 to
1913.
I'm 1884 France made a peaceful block
ade against FOrmosa, and in 1856 the fleets
of Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Italy
and Russia united in a warless blockade
against Greece Other instances may be
CLEANED from diplomatic history, but these
are enough TO establish the practice as an
accepted method of securing an end under
international law without actual procla-
nation or war.
cit can be enforced only by strong
power against a weak nation with a mari
time interest. 1t could not be used against
Switzerland, or any nation not having a
valuable sea trade. And consequently neu-
trail nations having valuable commerce
with the blockaded country are always in
terested; and the manner of carrying out
a peaceful blockade is not yet entirely set
tied in international law.
''In 1898 France seized and condemned
both Mexican ships and vessels belong
ing to third powers; and France insisted
on this right i'm the Formosa blockade in
1884. The French doctrine has been de-
nounced severely by diplomatists and writ
ers on international law. England direct
ed that only the vessels of Greece were TO
be seized and Sequestrated in the blockade
of 1850. And this is the doctrine main
tanned by Mr. Hall in his last QS9o) edi-
ton of his well-known treatise on inter-
national law. He says: No state can
expect another TO submit TO annoyance
still less to loss, for it's mere convenience
1t is only under the supreme necessities
OF war, when the gain or loss of belligerent
states IS wholly out of proportion TO the
loss inflicted upon neutral individuals that
other states can be reasonably asked 10
forego their right of intercourse with the
enemy. If country itself processes that
its quarrel is not serious or dangerous
necessary its needs cannot be so urgent as
to justify demand for privileges concedeq
only upon the grounds OF necessity and
danger. In other words, Mr.. Hall states
the English rule to be that there can be
no blockade against neutralS except In
case of actual war.
Major Glenn, in his work written in
America in 1895 (Section 300, states the
same rule. He says: In conclusion. it
may be said that if by this pacific block
ade is meant that it's effects shall extend
TO and effect them as neutral powers then
clearly no such reprisal is authorized, as
no nation has right to demand that the
privileges attendant upon a blockade can
be conceded to under circumstances which
are acknowledged by it to be neither Sc
rlous or dangerous enough TO make re-
course to war necessary. The inconven-
fences and losses resulting to third powers
are too great to justify acquiescence in
such conditions. If, on the other hand.
the blockade is to be felt only by the
bIockaded and the blockading countries no
reason is apparent why it shall not be re-
sorted to-
And Mr.. Hall says: Subject to the linn
itation that it (the pacific blockade). shall
be felt only by the blockaded country, ii
is a convenient practice; IL is mild one
In Its effects upon that country and Ii may
sometimes be of use as a measure of in
ternational policy, when hostile action
would be inappropriate and no action less
| stringent would be effective
Unless England and Germany shall not
conform to the rule now generally accept
| ed the commerce of the United States and
other neutral powers will not be stopped
with Venezuela so long as actual war is
| not proclaimed"