The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-09
AsroRIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
THE RULES OF WAR.

THE RULES OF wan.
The Russian rules of war which have at last been
promulgated present in at least respect mark.
ed contrast to the Japanese, and suggest possibility
of controversy concerning them, says the New York
Tribune In part, they are undoubtedly just and
worthy of general approval. Thus they reafirm
the principle that free flag makes free goods, and
that neutral goods are free even when under the
enenly's fag-always excepting in both cases, OF
course, goods that are contraband of war. Those
principles the world owes to Frederick the Great of
Prussia who put them forth at the time of the Seven
Years War. They were then taken up by Franklin
and by him impressed upon the French government
which in turn got Russia to accept and proclaim
them during our revolution. After century and a
quarter of adherence to them there no fear that
Russia would renounce them now. Nor after half a
century of practical universal acceptance of them,
is there danger of liquidation by any nation that
wishes to remain in the company of civilized states
The principle that blockade to be respected must be
effective is also reaffirmed, as was to be expected.
The crux Of the matter lies in the designation of
exceptions to the rules concerning merchandise
that is in declaring what goods are contraband of
war Concerning some goods there can be no ques-
tion Arms, ammunition, military equipments, war
ships and their equipments 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
f,nl II e.
as much contraband as is the ammunition for its
guns But is coal or oil that is not for military use
but for the peaceful uses of non-combatants con-
traband? Curely it should not be so cassed II
may be hard in some cases to determine for what use
it is intended But those Russian rules give no hint
that any attempt will be made at such discrimination
or even that such goods would be exempt from seiz
ure if their acknowledgement destination were proven
The same is true of telegraph and telephone in
struments and material Whether it is true Of all
food supplies is not quite clear the clause dealing
with them being obscurey worded 1t is to be wished
that the intent had been more unmistakably express
ed What we have said in regard to fuel applies
also to food. It's character as contraband or non
contraband depends upon its destination and intend
ed use.
The chief difference between the Russian and JAP
aneSe pronouncements upon this subject is that the
japanese divide goods into two classes those that are
essentially and invariably contraband and those that
may be or may not be contraband according to cir
eumstances, while the Russian makes no such dis
tincton, but classes fuel oil, spirits and perhaps
food In the same category with arms and ammunition
and warships. We should be sorry to believe the
Russian government intended to enforce the rules as
harShly and unvaringy as they are expressed There
Is room for hope that it will not seeing that the czar
has ordered the release Of various cargoes of coal
bound for Japan which were seized by his warships
IN the Red sea. There is an ominous touch however
IN the declaration that Russia reserves the right tC
modify or make exceptions to the rules as she peases
to suit special cases. so that she might abrogate the
rule that neutral goods are exempt from capture
IN the case OF some country that had incurred hel
suspicion or displeasure. OF course, we have no no
tion that she dreams Of any such extreme step; but
her proclamation opens possible way for it. W.
do not look for any trouble, or for even the leas
controversy with her over the matter of neutral OF
eontrabond goods but the possibility Of any differ
ence on the subject between her and any countr,
would have been made much less had her "rules o.
war" been more explicit in some respects and mor
discriminating in others.