The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-04
OF MAIL
IS INTERNATIONAL POLICY
Even Tho His Country be at War,
a Private Individuals Letters are
Not Likely to be Opened

private individuals Letters are !
Not Likely to be Opened
New York, Aug, 4.-Letters ad- |
dressed to European nations at war
or that may become involved in war
are certain to reach their destination
eventually, although considerable
time may be lost in transmition, &C
cording to authorities on interna-
tional law The London Naval Con-
ference of 1908-1909 obligated bel
Hgerent nations to respect first-class
mail and to forward it with all pos
sible dispatch, even when taken from
confiscated ship. The parcel post
and other classes of mail are not
protected.
If general European war is de-
clared, however, the delay for even
first-class mail is likely to be great.
Dr. Ellery C. Stowell, assistant
professor of international law at
Columbia University, says that even
before the rule obligating belliger-
ents to respect letters had been
made, nations were not disposed to
interfere with mail.
Nations for Mail Safety
Gable and wireless telegraphy
put an end to the use of mail to any
practical extent for war purposes, ;"
said DIR. Stowell Nations realized
their common interest in having
mail sent safely and have made in
ternationa1 laws to protect it. 1t is
a rule now that when a mailboat is
searched by a nation at war the
search shall be completed as speed
lily as possible and the vessel allowed
to go on its way If the mailboat is
confiscated for carrying contraband
it is the duty of the nation maxim g
the seizure to see that the mail goes
on it's way. If necessary its shipment
on a neutral vessel must be provided
for.
Searching mail has been practical
ly abolished among the nations be-
cause it is impracticable. The mail
matter is too vast for the waste OF
time in looking it over for communi-
cations that may bear on war. Par
eel post, however, may carry contra
band articles and it is not afforded
the same protection as mail.
Subject to Delays
Russia and Germany being al
war, mail sent from this country
could be landed at Amsterdam in
Holland Even though it were bound
for an enemy there would be no oh.
lection on the part of Germany to its
passage thru German territory be
fore reaching Russia.
ION the other hand, railroads
would he used for military purpose:
and mail might meet with long de-
lays. The rule for the protection Of
mail was reached from lessor
learned during the Russo-Japanese
war, when the seizure of a mail shiI
by Russia caused great inconven
fence to several European nations
The rights Of passengers on a shil
seized as a prize is very different
but the rule is that their safety mus
be looked after. Ordinarily the!
are taken on the ship on which the!
are found to neutral port or to tht
country of the warship making tht
capture.
Under some circumstances, how
ever, the seized vessel may be sunk
and in that case the neutrals ar,
taken care of aboard the warshil
making the seizure.
Right of COnfiscation
"A belligerent has the right t.
confiscate a ship flying an enemy
flag or a neutral carrying a cargt
more than half of which is contra
band. Ordinarily the rule is tina
the ship cannot be destroyed;
must be taken to a prize court 70
adjucation. If, however, convoyin;
the prize would endanger the securi
ty of the warship or jeopardize tn
success of operations in which it i
actually engaged, the warship ma
sink its prize.
But it is another case with pas
sengers, who may become soldiers
The London declaration provide
rolled in the forces of an enemy ma
be taken out of neutral ships whic
are then ordinarily allowed TO pro
coed on its course. In the case o
reservists and others returning t