The San Francisco call., 1904-08-17
THE RIGHTS OF COMMERCE.

Iunder the Russian declaration of contraband.
- entire trade in Eastern Asia is slipping away from
If -four, and cotton. not consigned to the mill
tay depots of bellgerent, to be put the
band list trade disappears II Great Britain firmly
continue her refusal recognize the right OF bellger
international law the British ports this
will take the trade. Russia may have as ute
rior motive the aiding OF her ally. France 1t is worth
noticing that neither in the Red Sea elsewhere has
French ship been halted seized. English ships have
been searched off the of Portugal, and American
cargoes have been destroyed the Pacific. but French
commerce has not been disturbed
We interested in the export OF -four meat cotton
and horses. all of which have in surplus and of
which is contraband by international law This
interested in them all 1t supposed during the
Boer that violating neutrality by selling
horses and mules to Great Britain and the admnistra-
ton hotly criticized. But Solicitor Penhed of the
State Department published the history and the rulings
OF Government back the time of Jefferson. prov
ing that we had always treated those animals
contraband, and then the clamor ceased.
country protect its commerce, and not permit
its destruction because distant nations. having
power, and being war, say what is
contraband and subject seizure Japan has done
friendly service by riddlng the Russian fleets of
Port Arthur and Vladivostok. Togo and Kamamura
putting the of the world under obligations
by putting the Russian ships out of commission
Those ships had shown far capacity for haryng
trade and sinking defenseless merchant ships than for
fighting armed enemy.
Cargoes for Asia held docks and in our
warehouses that should be their way to the
Asiatc market. Already of fine liners the Korea
has the gauntlet, thanks the courage and
ship of Captain Seabury, but the risk of losing such
costly carriers the Korea. Siberia and Mongolia is
too great. and they idle. far the purposes OF
commerce concerned.
The of San Francisco have taken steps to
let Government know the needs of our commerce.
kafor IL.
into the future. 1t consider the effect of deci-
sion made upon interests in the of
ing involved in foreign But this is be consid-
cred that far the future is concerned nation
Europe long subsst without resorng to our sup
ply of food and fabrics. We have only that safe
guard against war; for prestige and land dis.
inclnes nation to attack 1t likely that in the
future there will be imminent cause of war
than that which may arise against Russia because of her
insuerable assumption of the right to dictate to us in
the matter of contraband
So. though the question is serious all its aspects
have to believe that Government will con-
slider its most serious phase be the immediate protec
ton of commerce. If proper representations are
made to the State Department, it will be plain
that trade carefully built for years may be destroyed
in month, to be recovered with great difficulty Every
American ship that floats the Pacific except in the
coast lines is there because of the trade furnished by
Eastern Asia Under the Russian definition of
band there be neutral cargo and under her in
hated idea of the is excluded
from Chinese ports we'll from those of Japan and
our commerce has come to dead halt.
Not only here but everywhere in the country public
opinion will support the administration in any measures
it may deem necessary speedily terminate this condi-
ton If Russia insist in the face of proper diplomatic
representation, the will be send a
naval convoy with laden fleet of our Pacific liners to
protect them against all comers. If Russia have anv
warships left in seaworthy condition to attempt the
seizure of our merchantmen the provocaton will be
hers, and she will have take the consequences no
matter how unpleasant they may be-