The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14
NEUTRALITY IN WAR.

r H proclamation of neutrality issued by President
Roosevelt sets forth very fully the rights and lim-
Il tations OF neutrals in the present between
Japan and Russia According to the principles stated
eonraband articles may be sold the United States to
either of the belgerents. including and ammun
ton thereafter they shippers risk If found
on neutral merchantmen, they may be seized but the
neutral flag protects the ship which may be taken
prize On the other hand each belligcrent may, OF
course take as prize the ship of the other, whether
contain contraband
The warships of Japan and Russia may make the
tra ports OF this country but may not be permitted
repair their armament. otherwise augment
their fighting and may take only sufficient
coal carry them their nearest home port, may
they sail chase of any ship of the enemy until twenty
four hours after has left port, may they fight
take prizes within the three mile limit OF coast. AS
what is contraband OF there should be no mistake
Foodstufs consigned bcsieged place contraband
Otherwise they Horses and mules con-
traband consigned neutral port under neutral flag
AS San Francisco the leading port of the United
States resorted by both bcigerents, it is important
contaband may be sold here but the seller should avoid
assuming the risk of delivery That belongs to the
buyer.
Warshps for either of the belgerents may be built,
but be armed American shlpyard, that
would be violation of neutrality If the is pro-
interest 1t conforms the law OF nations and is in
nc with our treaties with both the bellgeren parties
The greatest need of Russia will be for coal Hereto
fore her supply has been drawn from japan, but OF
that is cut off. The next nearest source is
our Pacific Coast. British Columbia and Australia. But
she draw these. Her sale OF Alaska may
be regretted the abundant coal there which
not known exist when acquired the Territory,
would now be very available and OF
supply.
1t is coal that fights sea- and the present will
emphasize the absolute need of coalng stations in all the
seas order to make any navy effective If one nation
controlled the coal of the world it would control the
maritime nations absolutely. Our Government has
not been unmindul of this fact 1t is important in
war that the acquisition of coalng facilities
coasts by nation with which may be at war is to
be prevented if possible 1t is this that invests with
much importance the ownership of the Danish West In
dies II acquired by Germany, if that power took
coaling privileges there would be as much violation
of the Monroe doctrine would be the acquisition by
that empire IF territorial dominion this hemisphere.
In case prolonged it be expected that Rus
a will make every effort get coal from this At
the last report Russias domestic coal production was
12S62o33 TONS against 23oS3So73 tons by the United
States Japan produced 5647,75I tons. AS coal pro-
ducer United States leads the world England being
second When the military well the industrial
capacity OF country considered iron and coal the
chief factors The United States leads both Russia5
product only tons, against 25,ooo,
600 These things show the importance of position
in case war between other counties We have what
they need in foodstu iron and coal and to be
resorted for non-contraband we'll contraband
supplies.
There conflicting reports of the condition Of Rus
sas war chest But whether it be good bad it is ev
dent that Japan has made the careful and elaborate
preparations in food and powder, and
has her coal. This being the the naval supre
macy of Japan if it be established, will increase the risk
taken by Russia in getting supplies from this country
since to reach Port Arthur Vladivostok, the ships
that carry them must enter Japanese waters. Sheer
necessity will force Russia take risks, but American
sellers should confne themselves getting money for
the goods