New Britain herald., 1915-02-22

lay cordon of anchored contact mines across the approaches. Ne,l- trals must indeed have lost all viri,ity if they will quietly submit to this. 1t will not mean the comparative triviality of having their ships and goods confiscated by a belliregent prize court. Theyh will be destroyed instead; and all on board will be sent to their doom"
 Principles Still in Force
 lnasmuch the second Hague convention failed to provide an agree ment on the subject of mines, pre- viously accepted principles of inter national law are held to be in force.
 In one of the publications of the United States Naval College for the benefit of American naval command CTS, the status of the question of mines and torpedoes is thus sum- marized:
 Tt may be atiirme cd that the use of mines is a legitimate means of hostl- 1tles as between belligerentS. This position does not imply that mines may be used at will without regard to those not concerned in the war.
 Area For Possibilities.
 Tt is generally admitted that the belligerent jurisdiction is the proper area for hostilties. Within this area, therefore, they may be a greater freedom of use of mines. The sole restriction here should be able to control the mines in such a way that they should not imperil the neutral, or the belligerent might keep the neu- tral from or guide him through the mined area. Then use of mines should be confined strictly to military oper- ations and areas and the periIs shoull not extend to innocent neutrals."
 The reference in the message from American Consul Tee to the destruc- ton of the Evelyn "at Borkum" was interpreted in some quarters as meaning that the vessel was within the territorial waters of Germany when she struck the mine. conse- quently some officials believed a claim for damages against Germany might be made by the American owners.
 Diplomatic Action Unlikely.
 It was considered unlikely that. be- yond claims for damage, there would be any diplomatic action resulting from the loss of the Evelyn, inasmuch aS lnere IS now no international con- Ventlon In force prohibiting the lay ing Of mines either for offensive or deIenSlVe purposes. In the Russo Japanese war, the Japanese strewed nlnes across the harbor and entrance 70 Port Arthur, which was held by the Russians. Similarly the Japanese laid mines in Nladivostok waters across Peter The Great bay for a distance of forty miles. While the laying of mines in offensive operations, such as ne recent German note proclaimed, | 1as not been acquiesced in as a bel lgerent right, it is believed in official | quarters that this and other pre- | cedents would make it difficult for | he United States to make further | diplomatic protest.
 The prevailing opinion in official | circles today was that the United l States government would stand firm | y on it's warnings to Great Britain | and Germany, respectively, concern ng the misuse of neutral flags and 1 possible attacks on American vessels | or lives by submarines This policy | vas regarded as significant of a pos 1 sible critical turn of affairs should l any violations of the warning ensuc. |
 Had War Risk Insurance.
 The Evelyn is the first ship insured l with the United States bureau of war l fisk insurance to be lost since 1t be- | gan operations several months ago. | Insurance on ships and cargoes l 10 more than $55, 100000 | 1as been written.
 The bureau was closed today. There is little doubt that legal proof l )f the destruction of the ship and l ,argo will result in prompt payment l If the insurance
 Of the total amount of insurance l written by the bureau more than half l las expired with the arrival of ships :! md cargoes at destinations. The l bureau has earned in premiums more | han $60O,0OO, so that it is able to | stand its first loss without resort to ] he appropriation made by congress. 1