Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-17
ACTS WITH ENGLAND
American Note to st. Peters
burg Government.
CONTRABAND OF WAR
THIS COUNTRY AND GREAT
BRITAIN DISCUSS FooDsTUFFs.
Communication to Russian Government
Takes Exception to It's Doctrine
The Arabia Case.
CONTRABAND OF WAR

ST PETERSBURG, August 1.-THE
United States and Great Britain have for
mally raised the question of foodstuffs as
contraband OF war. except when directly
proved that they are destined for belliger-
ent armies or navies. While acting on
parallel lines, the United States and Great
Britain are proceeding independently.
The communications of both governments
are couched in friendly terms, they make
the positions of the United States and
Great Britain quite clear and emphatic.
The American case was presented
through Ambassador Mccormick and fol-
lows the lines of the American declaration
at the time of the Spanish war. 1t is in
the form of a protest against the confisca-
tion of flour on board the Arabia. The
general American contention regarding
coal naphtha. etc. az set forth in secre-
tary Hays note of June 10. is also placed
before the Russian government.
Great Britain followed by raising not
only the question of foodstuffs as contra
band. but the legality of sinking neutral
ships. The communication was presented
through Ambassador Hardinge.
The views are practically those embod
led in the kings speech at the proroguing
of parliament
The Knight Commander Case.
The communication takes exception to the
Russian doctrine that foodstuffs are con-
traband. takes a position against the right
of Russia to sink neutral merchantmen and
demands compensation in the case of the
Knight Commander With regard to food
stuffs consigned to an enemy's ports the
communication maintains that proof that
they are intended for a belligerent's mill
tary or naval forces is necessary IN order
ulat they be considered contraband.
1t illustrates in this contention the case
or the -four on board the Arabia, which was
consigned to a British firm at Yokohama
and which was declared contraband by the
Ni2divostok prize court. Great Britain con-
tends that the Russian doctrine is equiva-
lent to declaration that all foodStu1S con-
signed to enemy's port are uncondition-
ally contraband.
The British note argues the question at
length against the right to sink neutral
ships. being contrary to international
law and usage.
The American and British representations
relative to foodstuffs have been received
without resentment by the Russian authori-
ties. and the Associated Press learns that
they are being considered with the proba-
hilities that some notifications will be made
In the direction of meeting the views Oh tne
two governments.
The Two Notes Identical.
LONDON, August 17-Regarding the
British note in respect to contraband OF
war just handed by Ambassador Hardinge
to Foreign Minister Lamsdorn at ST. Pe-
tersburR the Associated Press is informed
that the general terms thereof are Identical
with the representations made by Ambas-
sador Mccormick to the Russian govern
ment in accordance with the instruc-
tions of Secretary Hay. 1t is now known
hot ba Of British cabinet
declared that In their view rice and food
stuffs can become contraband only If con-
signed directly to a belligerent govern
ment. In the case of coal and other fuel
Great Britain asserts that they are con-
traband only If consigned TO a naval port
or to the headquarters of a fleet; that cot
ton can be regarded as contraband only
when IL is established that II was ordered
by a beligerent government and destined
for the army or navy, and that bridges and
railroad material become contraband only
when destined for hostile purposes.
Great Britain lays particular stress on
the Importance of limiting the zone in
which beligerents may pursue neutrals
carrying alleged contraband
Great Britain also seeks recognition of
the principle of compensation for losses in
fcted on British shipping. AS soon as the
principle is recognized. Lord Lansdowne
states in a letter to a correspondent, claims
will be submitted for settlement
The British officials hopeful in view
OF the identical and almost simultaneous
representations of the United States that
the Russian government will make con-
cessions so necessary. In the opinion of the
foreign office, to the protection OF the
rights OF neutrals
In the opinion OF the continental diplo-
mats here, however the negotiations are
liable TO drag. They do not expect COM
plete compliance with the views of the
Washington and London governments.
Ready to Fight for the Principle.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. August IA London ca
blegram says The British note to Russia
relative to the sinking of neutral ships de-
clared that unless Russia renounced every
claim to the right to sink such vessels
warships would be employed to convoy
British merchantmen and to protect them
from such outrages. This means that the
British government is ready to fight for
the principle at stake.