New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-01

THE RULES OF WAR
The Russian rules OF war. which have at last
been promulgated. present in at least one re-
sDc-t q marked contrast 20 the japanese ana
suggest possibility Of controversy concerning
them In part. they are undoubtedly Just ana
worthy Of general approval Thus they rear
firm the principles that free nag makes free
goods and that neutral goods are free even
when under the enemy's hag-always excepting
in both cases. Of course, goods that are contra
band Of war Those principles the world owes
to Frederick the Great Of Prussia who put
,ber, forth n the time Of the Seven Years
War They were then taken up by FRANKLIN
and by him impressed upon the French govern
nent. which in turn got Russia 10 accept and
procIaim them during our Revolution. After a
century and n quarter of adherence 10 them,
there was no fear that Russia would renounce
tbem now. Nor. after half century Of practi-
callv universal acceptance OF them, is there
danger Of their Reputation by any nation that
wishes 10 remain i'm the company or CIVILIZED
states The principle that a blockade TO ne re-
spectcd must he effective is also reafhrmed, as
was TO be expected.
The cr1-x Of the matter lies in the designation
Of exceptions 10 the rules concerning merchan-
dise-tlat is. in declaring what goods are con-
trnband of war. Concerning some goods there
can be no question. Arms, ammunition, mill
tary equipments warships and their equip
ments are universally recognized as coming
under the ban. But it will be observed that
Russia puts coal. oil and all kinds OF fuel on
the contraband list absolutely. 1t Is doubtful If
such classification win meet the approval OF all
other powers No doubt fuel intended for
warship IS as much contraband as is the am
munition for its guns. But is coal or oil that
mil FfprT ~
peaceful uses OF non-combatants contraband?
Surely II should not be so cassed. 1t may be
hard in some cases TO determine for what use
II Is intended But these Russian rules give no
hint that any attempt Will be- made at such
discrimination. or even that such goods would
he exempted from seizure IL their non belliger-
ent destination We're proved. Tho same IS true
OF telegraph and telephone instruments and MIA
tcral Whether II Is true OF all food supplies
IS not quite clear. the clause dealing with them
being obscurely worded. IL IS 10 be wished the
intent had been more Enthusiastically expressed.
What We have said concerning fuel applies also
e. food Its character rs contraband or nom
contraband depends upon its destination and IN
tended use.
The chief difference between the Russian and
tho japanese prenounccments upon this subject
IS that the japanese divides goods into two
classes those that r. essentially and Invariably
contraband and those that may De- or may not
Ia cpntrahand. according L. circumstances.
while tte Russian makes no such distinction, but
classes fuel ell. spirits and perhaps food iu the
same category with arms and ammunition and
varshigs. We should he sorry 10 believe the
Russian government intended ~ enforce the
rules IS harshly and unvaryinsly they are
expressed. There is room FOR hope that Il viii
not seeing that the Car has ordered the ro-
lease 81 various car-oes OF coal bound Tor
Japan which were seized by his warships IN the
Red Sea. There is an omiuous touch. however.
D. the declaration that Russia reserves the rclt
% modify or make exceptions % the rules as
she p,eases 20 suit special cases So that she
m.sLt abrorate the rule that neutral goods arc
exempt from capture in the case Of some cOun-
try that had incurred her suspicion or dlSpieas-
urc OF course. we have no notion that she
dreams a any such extreme step, hut her
proclamation opens possible way Tor t. We
DO not look for any trouble. or Tor even The
least controversy. with her over tho matter OF
neutral or contraband goods; bat the possibility
Of any difference on the subject between her
and any country would have been made much
Jess had her rules Of war" been more explicit
in some respects and mere discriminating in
others