Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-08-05

ing "neighboring neutral territory which
afforded convenient centers from which
contraband could he introduced into Con-
federatc territory and from which block
ade running could he facilitated.
your eXcellency will no doubt remcm-
her" wrote Sir Edward how in order
to meet this new difficulty. the old prin
ciplcs relating to contra band and block
ade were developed and the doctrine Of
continuous voyage was applied and en-
forced. under which goods destined for
the enemy territory We're intercepted be-
fore they reached the neutral ports from
which they We're to be rc-cxportcd.
Tho difficulties which imposed upon
the United states tho necessity of re.
shaping some of the old rules ar"
somewhat akin to thoS" with which
the allies arc now faced in dealing
with the trade Of their enemy AdJa-
cent to Germany are various neutral
countries which afford her convenient
opportunities for carrying on hcr
trade with foreign countries. Her own
territories are covered by a network
of railways and waterways which en-
able her commerce TO pass as con
veniently through ports in such neutral
countries as through her own. y
blockade limited to enemy ports would
leave open routes by which every kind
Of German commerce could pass AL
most as easily as through the ports in
her own territory.
"Rottcrdam Is indeed the nearest out
let for some of the industrial districts or
Germany il seems accordingly
that If It he recognized that n blockade is
in certain cases the appropriate method
Of intorccpting the trade Of an enemy
country and IL the hluoCkade can only
become effective ny extending 1t to enemT
commerce pa ssing through neutral ports
such an extension is defensble and in ac-
cordance with principles which have met
with general acceptance.
The note then refers to the case of the
/ British ship SprinGhok seized by United
I States cruisers during the civil War
while bound for the British Wes' Indies
because her cargo, it was charged, was TO
! be transshipped to the confederate states
I The supreme Court Of the United states
sustained tho seizure against the con
domination Of n group Of prominent inter
national lawyers although IN" United
+ States and British governments took the
/ broader view ami recognized the develop
ment Of the Older method Of blockade
40 protest was made by Great Britain.
Old EI'LES NOT ADAPTABLE
"What is really Important In the gen
clat interest" says the note, is tina
adaptations Of the old rules should no
be made unless they are consistent witt
tho general principle upon which an ad
mtt"d hcligcrent right is based. II II
also essential that all unnecessary in
jury To neutIals should he avoided. witt
thes" conditions ii may be safely anlrmet
mat the steps "" are taking to ntcrcep
| commodities on their way to and from
Germany fully comply We are interfer
ing with no goods with which We shOul'
: not be entitled to interfere by hlockad
If the geographical position and tn
conditions Of Germany at present wcr
, such that her commerce passed througl
!, her own ports We are taking the utmOs
possible care not to interfere with com
, merce genuinely destined for or proceed
ing from neutral countries. Furthermor
we have tempered the severity wit
which our measures might press upo
neutrals by not applying the rule whic
\ was invariable In the OH form @
| blockade that ships and goods on thei
Z way to or from the blockaded area ar
liable to condemnation"
q THE ORNAMENTAL PRINCIPLE.
The note then reviews at some lengt
the various forms in which blockade
. have been maintained to show there ha
. been no uniformity of practice I'm Yer
n essential points, and declares;
Z "'rho one principle which is fundament;
, and has obtained universal recognize
] is that bN means Of hlockad"