Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-03
CoNTRARAND OF WAR.

There appears to be marked diversity of opinions
aud views to the meaning and significance OF the
term "contraband it applies to war, and manu-
facturers and shippers porting over the problem
as never before To know and to feel what the fate
OF a cargo shipped from here to Europe during the
present unsettled conditions of affairs with nation ris-
ing against nation may be- matters of paramount
and obvious importance
According to presidents, contraband goods are
liable to seizure and the vessel containing them
be condemned than one-haf the general cargo
is composed of the banned article.
But what constitutes contraband goods? is the
question propounded. The Conference of London
which took place in 190S-9 laid down certain general
probabilities in the classification of contrabands OF
war Munitions of war that is to say, arms, equip
rnents general military stores bodies of men in
tended for country engaged in war are defined as
absolute contrabands and seizable when shipped
by neutral Such shipments constitute no violation
of neutrality however, and there is no obligation upon
neutral nation to prevent its citizens from shipping
a whole boatload of arms but they must assume all
the pers of capture and conscaton by belligerents
In a general sense commerce between neutrals is
undsturbed by
England however, originated the doctrine of con
tinuous voyages, by which belligerent could look
to the final destination of and if that destina-
ton was to be territory of enemy the contender
could at once treat the shipment eontraband. This
doctrine is apt to be the policy for future wars
Foodstuffs and fuel clothing, gold, vessels rail-
way and telegraph equipment balloons and flying ma
chimes and the like which be used in warfare are
termed Conditional contraband." They are subject
to capture if it shown that they destined for
the use of armed forces There is considerable
number of articles which cannot be regarded as con-
traband of war under any conditions such as raw
cotton and other materials of the textile indus
tries, raw hides, ores paper, machinery and furni-
ture.
Common sense distinction effected this exempt
classification The goods cannot readily be converted
to war uses Still there is lingering uncertainty as
to how far the rules of the London Conference may
he binding in a European war The United States has
ratified the rules however though other nations have
not and these latter may possibly determine their own
rules of contraband. 1t is unreasonable to expect
thorough agreement on the subject, it has been
source for much diplomatic dispute in the past with
out definite result.
Any attempt to run blockade subjects vessel
10 capture irrespective destination the nature
of its cargo The doctrine of contraband has no appl
cation to blockade and is altogether probable that
a European struggle would soon eliminate the ques-
ton of contraband If the English and French fleets
dominate the sea, there would be a prompt blockade
of the German and coasts and this would en-
trey prevent all shipments those countries; and,
of course with the German feet off the high seas for
instance shipments to the members of the Triple En-
tente would in danger of seizure as contraband