The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-06-15

less Of the possibility o. this nation b,
Old customs emnhatically fatbred
permitting merchantmen TO depart.
Present customs empbatically favor
Selling them at once. In the Spanish.
American war, what seem strange, old
fashioned formalities were observed,
and merchant ships were permitted to
depart, being given, in fact, several
days. According to the recollection Of
naval off, ers here, this was a week.
Japan Makes History ....., ~
But Japan, which went 10 war in
Manchuria without a formal declara-
ton, made history By that act, and
her policy seems to have been followed
in this war. Germany, for example,
detained British merchantmen rs
early as August ], although the hnal
British demand for Germany to re,
spect the neutrality Of Belgium, which
was, in fact, an ultimatum and which
virtually was equivalent TO a. declara.
ton of war, was not sent until the
evening Of August 1. r. ..4tr T y
81 believe II would be the policy
Of this administration to permit the
ships to depart, although everyone
knows they have no place TO 20, =
said q man in touch with international
law developments. "Old customs
would be followed, I believe,'r and
then he cited the beginning of the
Spanish American war. So far as he
knew, he said, there was no formal
treaty on this question. -
If the administration does take this
Wow, it might feel a moral RESPONSE,
bility to permit the Germans to de-
part because of the circumstances Of
their arrival and stay: refugees from
bclligerent men-of war.
That the administration win do this
is indicated by the current issue Of
the Nautical Gazette, which says:
"There is little doubt in certain quail
fed quarters that the German craft
would be first ordered out of American
ports. OF course, they would be sub
iect to capture by American men.of.
war after time limit, If one were
set, and the big fact, that Germany
would lose the ships, would not be alt
cred in the least. Warsbips Of the
not. 80.
There Are Precedents
There are precedehts in international
practice for permitting merchant YES.
sells to depart from ports. In 1871, the
elder Pitt resigned because his col.
leagues would not authorize seine OF
Spanish merchantmen in English har'
bors. Pitt urged that Spain was about
to make war upon England, but the
cabinet would not approve of his sug'
gestion. '.. 49, ~
When the Crimean war broke out in
the sos, six weeks was given, and
in the case of Russian White Sea
ports, the days of grace extended from
the breaking-up of ice. Concessions, OF
like character were made by France
and Germany in 1870 and by Russia
and Turkey in 1877.
Although Japan's feet attacked thu
Russians at Port Arthur, February 8
1904, day before the formal declara
ton of war, and thereby set o preee
dent, the Japanese action on tn
declaration of war against German.
last year was in strong contrast to tina
of European nations Vs..
Japan declared war on Germany An
gust %, 1914, after Germany hai
ignored the japanese ultimatum cor
corning TSing-tau. German merchant
men in Japanese ports were given -four
teen days of grace in which to dis
charge their cargOes and seek refuge
The days of grace expired september
Such action was reVersion of the oil
principles of the status of merchant
men. II was not followed by Europea
nations -. ~
A Hague convention relating to th
% ~ ahsH -
break of hostilities exists, but II wa
signed neither by the United State
nor by Germany, and, so far as eouli
be ascertained from n search Of All
thorties. no definite treaty or convep
ton between the two nations bears o.
this point. rFn'
The action of Germany in regard :
British ships is full of interest an
meaning. Under date of August 1, 81
Edward Grew, secretary Of state 70
foreign affairs, in the British eabiDe,
photographed Sir +. Goschen, BIRTHS
ambassador in Berlin, as follows: -,
1--WE are informed that the author
tiles at Hamburg have forcibly d.
tanned steamers belonging to the Grea
Central Company and other BIRTHS
merchant ships. .."'
Nc Ground For Detention
81 cannot ascertain on what ground
the detention of British ships has bee
ordered.
"Hou should request German GOV
eminent to send immediate orders this
they should be allowed to prOcee
without delay. The effect on publ
oninion here will be deplorable uples
this Is done. His Majesty's govern
ment, on their side, are most anxiot
TO avoid any incident of an aggressiy
nature, and the German goyernmeI
will, hope, be equally careful not I
take any step which will make III
situation between us impossible
The same day this reply was r.
ceived by Sir Edward Grey from 3
l.. Goschcn:
Detention of British ships at Han
LurV.
"Your telegram Of LIST August acte
on.
Secretary of state, who expressS
III, A