The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-02-25
THE ship, THE FLAG AND THE ENEMY
fRv Ealerx G. stowen.I

Gle answering in an authoritative
manner some of the more salient
questions Of international law rails
ed by Germany's declaration OF
maritime war zone. and by use Of
the American flag by British ships.
This article is not, therefore, an
expression OF opinion. II Is an
interpretative statement by an ex-
pert of the principles which the
best usage Of the law Of nations
has decreed shall be applicable In
such situations as are now under
MISREPRESENTATION, that is, which
may well arise from the attempts
OF Germany to establish a war zone,
ana from the admitted flying OF
the Stars and Stripes by English
vessels On such matters Professor
Stawell 10 an authority OF inter-
national reputation. After gradual
ing from Harvard, he devoted sew
eral years to the study Of inter-
national law at the University OF
Berlin and the University OF Paris,
ana then returned to this country
to teach this subject first at George
Washington University and later
at the University Of Pennsylvania.
He had opportunity to see the
practical side OF International af-
fairs and diplomacy as a secretary
at the peace conference at The
Hague in 1907. and as secretary
to the American delegation to the
Naval Conference at London In
1862. Professor Stoweil Is now
assistant professor Of international
law and diplomacy at Columbia
University. and he Is a frequent
contributor on topics involving in
ternational law to European and
American reviews.-Editors Outlook
H.. the great conflict which Is now
going on. England, supreme on sea, and
Germany, mightiest on land. have not
been able to deal each other vital
blow. Their forces are deadlocked, and
their governments have recourse to
indirect means to bring about termf-
nation OF the war. England has more
funds for prolonging the contest and
hopes by using her credit and placing
the burden on future generations to
come to the end of Germany's resis-
lance Germany, on the other hand
relies ON her magnificent organization
to place on the shoulders Of each indi-
vidual a burden in proportion to whad
he has the strength to bear. She
thinks that her wise provisions and
the enthusiastic. disciplined patriotism
of her people win carry her on to VIC
tory. England, however, would like Il
use her naval supremacy to cut off Ger
many's supplies of food and war mat
erials and further weaken her resis-
lance. To prevent this Germany has
employed her fleet of submarines In ar
effort to wear away the British sup.
remacy. and has laid mines hoping Il
destroy British ships.
International law placed in England.
hands two means to effect her purpos'
OF strangiing Germany. First by
blockade to cut out access to German
ports; but blockade. 1t Is said. Is diff.
ficult to maintain on account OF the
great development OF submarines. II
any event, blockade would not be 4
very effective means. since Germany''
supplies could reach her through th'
Scandinavian countries or through IT,
ally. The other means by which ENGLAND
might interfere with Germany's supply
Is through the seizure OF contraband
but, according to the recognized rules
of International law, England would no
be able to seize food supplies destin-
ed for a neutral country. even though
she might believe they would eventual.
ly find their way into her enemy's ter.
ritory. So England took the course
that any great power might well have
taken in a situation similarly desper.
ate. and stretched the rule OF contra
band until she substituted the idea o.
ultimate consumption in place OF ul
Innate destination; that In to say. de.
| rlQFRA n oll mill aa
which would ultimately be consumed
by the belligerent. in place of the we'll.
recognized rule which would have per.
mitted her to confiscate only food sup.
plies Immediately destined to tn,
forces of her enemy. She has taker
the stand that in the case Of ship.
ments to the countries bordering OF
the German frontier she may prevent
all imports in excess of what NIGH
be considered normal, on the assumption
that they were intended for German
consumption. Furthermore, she ha.
so use her right Of visit and searcf
as to detain for long periods man,
has been to frighten off other ship.
pers
The United States has been patien
| IN the race OF these serious inter.
ferences with her neutral rights be.
cause she still had a good market IL
Great Britain and France. and becaus,
this country was stirred to its very
depths by Germany's violation of tn,
most fundamental principles of inter.
national law by her invasion of Bel
GUM. By maintaining a complaisan
attitude towards these British in.
Judgements of the rights OF the Unit
ed States. public opinion in this coun
try has given an unconscious expression
OF its real feeling that the nations
Of the world should cooperate with tn,
allies to enforce respect for the funda.
mental principles of international law
In applying to the transgressor of in.
ternational law the only effective san.
ction which exists among the nation,
as now organized-that Is, condemnatiol
by the public opinion of the civilized
world-the transgressor is penalizes
by force indirect but none the les.
crushing.
Germany, after attempting to Obtain
what effect she might from airship raid