The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-05
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1904.
coNTRABANp OF WAR.

Every war of considerable extent in the area covered by hostilities. and particu- larly if it is a maritime war, makes some contribution to the law of contraband. The law itself Is a shifting one. Muni- tions. horses and sulphur have long been recognized as forbidden articles of com merce between neutrals and one of com blatant nations. Velvets, satins, gjewelry, colOgnes, under no view could be consid- cred dangerous articles of trade How is 1t as to pitch, tar or coal? There is a long list of articles the character of which is so doubtful that 1t must depend on the judgment of the particular gov ernment whether this or that article will be pronounced contraband. A powerful maritime nation Is apt to have it's own way either by enlarging or restricting the list as it's interests may dictate. Thus France in 1885. during her war with Chi na proclaimed rice as contraband and though England protested vehemently against the inclusion of this important article of food for the Chinese. France had her way. Her threat frightened shins with rice cargoes from the Eastern seas and no case was ever made of the ques- tion for prize court.
 Russia Is now proposing an extension or the contraband list, a determination all the more to be wondered at when sne seems so helpless at sea and when her former declarations are considered. She names coal as one of the articles that will be treated by her as under a han
 
 . at the west African Conference dissented hotly from the inclusion of coal as be ing contraband of war and according to the English Parliamentary papers of the time categorically refused her consent to any articles in any treaty, convention or instrument whatever which would implv It's recognition as such. The United States and England it is understood are engaged in conferring upon the attitude 1t will be proper for them to take mn with respect to Russia's new declaration Every non-combatant is interested in TO- stricting the injury that may be done to neutral commerce and every war brings somewhat more clearly into light the principle that will ultimately govern That principle 1t is not difficult to state Any article, however innocent or henef- cent ordinarily. that from its character and destination bids fair to strengthen the enemy in it's power of resistance will be more and more deemed and treated as contraband. The article must con- tribute directly to the war strength of the enemy. If it does not all neutral na- tions will have an interest in maintain 
 and it seems likely, the neutrals will get their way. There is a stronger and stronger disposition among the great civ ilized nations to confine war and it's evils within as small an area as possible. It looks as if Russia Is going to furnish an opportunity. in proclaiming big list of contraband goods when she has no power to enforce her will. to still further lib- eralize international law. We need not consider Russian inconsistency at all No nation looks for consistency or honor at St. Petersburg Her pretensions, though. will be met by counter preten- sions and these last it may be, will bind England and the United States, for ex- ample, at another time when they may wish they could act with a free hand. Just now there will be a temptation to laugh at any declaration on contraband coming from the Czar. Will shippers be frightened? There is no occasion for ter TOT. The Russian squadron that was making it's way to the Orient by way of suez has been recalled. The Japanese would have treated it as good contra band of war. They command the seas about them. We should have little fear, if we owned a cargo of Welsh coal. in eonsigning it to Nagasaki.
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