Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-04
Woman and Home
Ethical
Talks
to the question of tho legitimacy of the
particular measures adopted.

particular measures adopted.
"b In the various notes which I have
received from Your Excellency the
right OF a belligerent to establish a
blockade OF the enemy ports Is ad-
mitted. right which, has obviously
no value save In so far as 1t gives power
! to a belligerent to cut OF the sea-
borne exports and imports OF his enemy.
| The contention which understand tho
| United States government now put for
| ward is that II a belligcrcnt is so cir
cumstanced that his commerce can pa So
| through adjacent neutral ports as easily
as through ports in his own territory.
his opponent has no right to interfere.
and must restrict his measures OF
blockade in such a manner as to leave
such avenues OF commerce still open
| to his adversary. This Is a contention
which His Majesty's government feel
unable to accept, and which seems to
them unsustainable, either In point Of
law or upon principles OF international
equity. They are unable to admit that
, a belligerent violates any principles OF
| international law by applying n block
ado In such a way as to cut off the
| enemy's commerce with foreign coun
tries through neutral ports, if the cir
| cumstances render such an application
OF the principles OF blockade the only
, means OF making it effective. The
| government Of the United States indce
! intimates its readiness to take into ac-
count the great changes which have
occurred in the conditions and means
OF naval warfare since the rules hither-
to governing legal blockade were for
mulatcd,' and recognizes that tho form
IL ~ a. -
ships In the Immediate offing OF the
blockaded ports is no longer practicable
In the face Of an enemy possessing tho
means and opportunity 10 make an
effective defense by the use OF sub
marines, mines and aircraft
WILLING TO APPLY TEST
TO ACTION ALREADY TAKEN
"6. The only question then which can
arise in regard to tho measures resorted
to for the purpose OF carrying out a
blockade upon these extended lines is
whether. to use Your Excellency's
words. they conform to the spirit and
principles of the essence Of the rules
OF war and We shall be content to
apply this test to the action which We
have taken in so far as 1t has neces-
stated interference with neutral COM
merce.
-. 1t may be noted in this connec-
ton that. at the time of the Civil War
the United States found themselves I'M
der the necessity OF declaring block
ade OF some 5000 miles of coast line.
military operation for which the
number OF vessels available was at
first very small. II was vital to the
| cause of the United States in that great
struggle that they should be able to
cut off the trade OF the Southern States.
The Confederate armies were dependent
! on supplies from overseas, and those
supplies could not be obtained with
out exporting the cotton wherewith to
pay for them To cut off this trade the
United States could only rely upon a
! blockade. The difficulties confronting
the Federal government were In part
| due to the fact that neighboring neu-
+ trail territory afforded convenient CEN
tiers from which contraband could be
| introduced into the territory OF their
enemies. and from which blockade run
ming could be facilitated. Your Excel
lency will no doubt remember how. in
, order to meet this new difficulty, the
old principles relating to contraband
and blockade were developed and the
doctrine Of continuous voyage was ap-
piled and enforced. under which goods
| intercepted before they reached the
neutral ports from which they we're 10
! be re-exported.
ALLIES NOW FACING
SIMILAR DIFFICULTIES
IS. The difficulties which imposed
J upon the United States the necessity
| or reshaping some Of the old rules are
! somewhat akin to those with which
the allies are now faced in dealing with
the trade of their enemy. Adjacent to
Germany are various neutral countries
| which afford her convenient opportuni-
ties for carrying on her trade with for
| cign countries. Her own territories are
covered by network OF railways and
waterways, which enable her commerce
| 10 pass as conveniently through ports
| In such neutral countries as through
her own. A blockade limited TO enemy
ports would leave open routes. by which
every k>nd OF German commerce could
pass almost as easily AZ through the
ports In her own territory. Rotterdam
| is indeed the nearest outlet for some
or the industrial districts Of Germany.
| g. AS n counterpoise to the freedom
with which one belligerent may send
his commerce across neutral conn
try without compromising its neutral
ity. the other belligerent may fairly
| claim to intercept such commerce, be-
| fore 1t has reached or after it has
left. the neutral state, provided OF
course, that he can stablish that the
commerce with which he interfcrcs is
the commerce OF his enemy, and not
commerce which is bona fide destined
! FOR or proceeding from the neutral
state. 1t seems accordingly, that il It
De recognized that blockade is in
certain cases the appropriate method
or intercepting the trade OF an enemy
| country. and II the blockade can only
become effective by extending il to
enemy commerce passing through neu-
/ trail ports. such an extension is defensl-
bic and in accordance with principles
! which have met with general accept
ance.
80 To the conteo.ion ,ha. 49,.