The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-21
'bility of quitting the library scheme
and putting up few bughouses.
MIGHr RULES THE COURT

Mi0f1I RULES Tx COOd
The utter dependence of internation-
al law rboth for its Interpretation and
it's enforeements upon the strong arm is
well shown in the reply of Russia to
the American notice in regard to con-
traband of war. The use of the word
"laM-. in this connection is always con-
fusing. People assume that interna-
tional law is of the same. quality as
state or a federal statute, imposing in
all instances definite obligations and
carrying with it a forfeit if they are
disregafded Tie truth, of course, is
that the whole body of International
law is voluntary agreement, and de-
ponds upon nice definitions and a
to evade it can usually find pretext,
and there is no effectuaI punishment
short of declaration of war.
Take the case in point. There has
been pretty thorough understanding
among the nations as to what shall
q -
and what shall not be considered "con-
traband of war" With the growth of
commerce its Interpretation in con-
fiict between two nations became SO
serious matter as to require some
limitations on the right of be1liger-
ent 10 prey upon neutral vessels on the
nj hot oil
comfort to the enemy. That NUM-
tons of war should be subject to cap
ture and confiscation was of course
evident. Outside this class there is
long catalogue of commodities which
have been either explicitly declared or
generally admitted not to be contra
| band of war-that is to say, not sub
ject to seizure and appropriation or
destruction when carried in neutral
vessels.
The world has considered the staple
food products especially immune; and
along with them has placed coal, ma
chinery, railroad material and, gener-.
ally speaking, cotton. Russia broke
through all the conventions when she
began Selling the vessels Of neutrals,
and the remonstrances Of Great Britain
and the United States have been of
little worth. Her reply is vague and
unsatisfactory. She recognizes Of
course, the general principle of the i'm
munity of neutral trade, but couples
with it enough exceptions and restric-'
tons to make the general principle
doubtful or ineffective Everything is
to be interpreted according to the in
-tentien of the shipper. Russia does not
admit even that food products should
be excepted from seizure if she thinks
there is "a fair presumption that they
are intended for the use of the Japa-
nese government. If the line is drawn
SO rigidly with reference to articles of
food, the Interpretation of course will
be still more strict on articles more
| nearly connected with warlike opera
tions.
1t all amounts to a polite exchange Of
empty forms with only the war power
to decide what they shall mean. Rus
STA will carefully sanction the obliga-
tons of international law as she
chooses to understand them. So will
] every other nation. Each will give to
] every special case that comes up its
own Interpretation, and will decide it
according to it's own advantage. 1t
| will go just as far in breaking up and
destroying commerce with any power
with which it is at war as it can with
| out enbroiling itself with the power
| under whose flag this commerce is car
ried on. Every individual case will be
cut and fit according to it's special con-
ditions, and no general rule will escape
its particular Interpretation. All this
goes to show how closely under the
forms of an advanced civilization we
! follow the impulses and the methods of
| the primitive man.
! By this time tomorrow some scores
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