New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-03
What Is Contraband of War?

or great interest TO American shippers is the
question OF what cargoes may be safely shipped to
beIligerens Confusion still exists in the definition
of contraband goods, but thanks TO the Conference
of London. held in 190s-O9, certain general prob
abilities can be laid down.
Arms, ammunition, etc, are known as absolute
contraband" and are liable TO seizure when shipped
by neutral to the territory of belgerent. Food
stuffs and fuel, clothing, gold, vessels, railway
and telegraph equipment balloons and flying ma
chimes and similar articles which can be used in
warfare. but which are not necessarily used,
termed conditional contraband" They are sub
iect TO capture only if it is shown that the goods
are destined for the use of armed forces. Finally
there is considerable number of articles which
cannot be regarded as contraband Of war under
any conditions. The list of goods exempt from
seizure comprises such products raw cotton and
the other raw materials OF the textile industries,
raw hides, ores paper, machinery and furniture.
This classification follows common sense dlstinc-
lions it will be seen, the exempt list comprising all
those articles which are not susceptible of use IN
war. Unfortunately, there is some doubt to what
extent these rules of the Declaration Of London
will be binding in a European war This country
has ratified these rules but some other countries
have not, and there may be nations which will de-
clare their own rules as to contTaband, varying n
certain respects from the above The subject has
been fruitful source of diplomatic wrangling in
the past and it is useless to expect complete agree
ment in the future.
Under all precedents contraband goods are liable
TO condemnation and the vessel as well may be
condemned il the contraband cargo forms more
than half of the total cargo, reckoned either by
value. weight volume or freight. Such shipments
constitute no violation of neutrality however, and
there is no obligation upon neutral nation TO
prevent its citizens from shipping whole boatload
of arms if they desire to do and care to run the
risk of confiscation in the event of capture
One moot problem relates to indirect shipments
Generally speaking, commerce between neutras is
undisturbed by war. But England originated the
doctrine Of continuous voyages" by which bel
ligerent could look TO the ultimate destination of
cargo and if that destination was to be the terri
tory OF a belligerent the contender could at once
treat the shipment contraband under the gen
eral rules The chances are that this doctrine will
prevail in future wars.
OF course when blockade has been publicly
declared and made actually effective different
situation arises. Then any running of the block
ade subjects vessel and cargo to seizure regardless
OF the nature of the cargo or its destination The
doctrine of contraband has no application to a
blockade, and it is altogether possible that Euro
pean struggle would soon eliminate the question Of
contraband. IL the English and French fleets pre-
vail ut sea, as their strength paper would fore
cast. there would be prompt blockade of the Ger
man and Austrian coasts which would entirely pre-
vent all shipments TO those countries; and II
course with the German feet of the high seas.
shipments TO the members of the Triple Entente
would be in no danger Of seizure as contraband.
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