Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-01
RUSSIA ISSUES WAR RULES.
Regulations as to Neutral Ships and
Shipping Are Strict.


A cabieEram from ST. Petersburg says:
Rules of war have been published off,
cially. An august decree had been re-
ferred to the ruling senate by the ministry
Of justice for the laying down of the rules
which Russia intends to follow during the
war with Japan. The original draft of
these rules was indorsed by the car with
the words 1T must be So
According TO rule i, Japanese subjects
will be allowed during the war to remain
in Russia under the protection of the law
and will he permitted to pursue peaceful
occupations japanese living In the east
under the Jurisdiction of the viceroy are
excepted.
Jap. Merchantmen.
Rule declares that japanese merchant
men which were in Russian ports when
war was declared VIII be permitted to re-
main there, but they must leave whoa
they have loaded their cargoes, which
must not include contraband of war.
Sufficient time will be allowed for lood-
ing but in any case these vessels will be
allowed not more than forty-e. ght hours
after the publication of this proclamation.
Rule 3 says that subjects of neutral
states will be allowed to carry on bus
ness uninterruptedly with Russian ports
and towns provided they observe Russ an
law and the principles of interna tional law.
Freedom of Lawful Trade
Rule 4 points out that it is the duty of
the high military authorities to take all
steps to insure the freedom of the lawful
trade of subjects of neutral states In SO
far as their commerce is permissible I'M
der the exigencies of war
Rule ) says that in regard to neutral
trade the following points must be OBJ
served:
(a) The flag covers the cargo for a bel
ligerent, excepting contraband of war.
(b) Neutral goods under the enemy
flag, except contraband of war, are not
subject to confiScation.
(c) Blockades to be obligatory must be
effective-that is, they must by sufficient
force cut off approach to the enemys ter
ritory.
Contraband of War.
According to rule q, dhe following will be
regarded as contraband of war:
(a) Every kind. of small arm and guns
complete or in separate parts. and armor.
CHI Parts of firearms and ammunition,
fuses shells and bullets.
Co Caps, cartridges. cartridge cases,
powder. saltpeter, explosives, or materials
for purposes of explosion, such as m mes,
dynamite, pyroxilin, various explosive sub
stances conductors and everything for ex-
plOding mines.
Cd Everything appertaining to artillery
engineering and troop trains. such a gun
carriages. Hmbers, cartridges, ammunition
boxes. field smtfies, field kitchens, instru-
ment wagons, pontoons, bridges, trestles,
barbed wire, horse harness for transport
service, etc
(e) Material for equipment and clothing
of troops, such bandoIers. knapsa cks
sword belts. cuirasSeS, entrenching tools,
drums, field kettles, saddles, harness. uni
forms, tents, etc. -.
() Ships bound for the enemy's ports.
even it sailing under neutral commerce al
flag, If their construction and internal ar
engagements or any other indica ton makes
it apparent that they have been built for
wa:lke purposes, or are for sale or are
destined to be handed over to the enemy
on reaching their destination.
(g) Every kind of ships machinery or
boilers, mounted or in parts
(h) Every kind of fuel, such as coal
naphtha, spirits. etc.
% Telegraph and telephone materials.
Ck) Everything intended for warfare on
land or on sci; also rice, foodstuffs horses
beasts of burden, and any other animal Is in
tended for war purposes, if they are sent
at the enemy's cost or order.
Neutral Ships
Neutral ships are forbidden by rule to
transport the enemy's troops, to carry let
tiers or dispatches for the enemy or to
place transports or war ships at the enc
my's disposal Neutral ships with contra
band of war of any sort can, according to
circumstances. not only be seized but can
also be confiscated. -
BY rule the imperial government re-
serves the right to depart from the above
decisions with regard to a neutral or a
hostile power which for its part does not
observe them, and in any given case to
make It's regulations suit special circum-
stances.