The Washington herald., 1914-11-01
Seizures at Sea.


ships recently seized by English cruisers the high
seas for carrying contraband of war; or for other
alleged violations of international law, have either
been given Up about to be given up by the
British government. 1t is very gratifying to OBJ
serve in tie correspondence that has taken place be-
tween the British Ambassador to this country and
the acting Secretary of stare that England lays
stress rau the supposed illegal of the transfer OF
these Ship some time since. from the German 10
tie AIcTicaI flag At the time of the capture il was
supposed that this the only point issue in each
one Cf these cases. England apparently does not
raise any doubt the right of the American peo-
pie 20 buy in good faith German ships that happen
be located in America; ports at the present time
This removes great possible OF international
trouble.
Nevertheless there are other elements in the situ-
aticn sought to be emphasized by the British Am
bassador that of serious concern to the United
States Chief among these is the seeming disposition
OF Grca; Britain to insist upon the right of seizure
of neutral goods contained in neutral ships if it is
suspected that these goods may ultimately find their
way into the possession of Germany, although
such goods may be directly consigned TO a neutral
country That is to say Great Britain urges that
she has a right 10 seize petroleum an American
vessel bound for Copenhagen if she has reason 10
think that this petroleum may be later sent from
Copenhagen to i German port, presumably for use
IN the
In announcing this determination. England ad-
verts 10 tie stand taken BY our Supreme Court
in the civil war in the famous question raised by this
government as to shipments of contraband goods
from Liverpool and other English ports to Nassau.
The United States declared at that time that the
contraband OF war in question. though route TO
Nassau was really intended to be sent on blockade
=
The shipment to Nassau was, in other words mere
fiction. The goods were really intended for in
war against the United States, and our warshps had
a right to capture such goods upon the high seas.
But it is obvious that there is a great difference
between the situation in law of such ports Nassau
in 1868 and such ports Copenhagen in 1914. Nassau
is tiny island. and sparsely inhabited in 1868
by negroes and few English people. 1t absurd
TO suppose that the residents of Nassau could use
any such quantities Of merchandise as were laid
down there each week by ships from Great Britain.
In fact there any pretenc that these goods
were intended for blockade running into the
South.
1t appears, however. to be the in the present
instance that the supply OF petroleum in Denmark
has become almost exhausted and that even physi-
clans in the rural districts in Denmark cannot
automobiles in making their visits because of the
scant supply Of gasoline and compelled to make
calls their patients by travelling long distances on
foot Denmark is a great, civilized, thickly inhabited
country, having for all the necessities and Iuxu
RES of life There is practically staple article of
modern commerce OF which Denmark does not have
need. The fact that the bill of lading of an
American ship comprises 4 quantity Of petroleum
of any other article bound for Denmark can in no
be taken necessary proof that this article
will eventually find its way into Germany.
II the contention of the British government in
this matter is sound neutral trade the high seas
will come to an end in time of war Just as much as
would be the case if it could be maintained that a
German shipping company shipping company of
any other nation did have an absolute
right to make bora fde sale OF its merchant vessels
in a neutral port 70 neutral purchaser.