Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-30
How Britain Wrongs Us

g ONE current failure of comprehension of
~ this governments attitude toward the
British orders in council is based on an
antecedent failure to distinguish between
seizures of ships at sea. because they are
carrying contraband of war, and seizures
made when the vessels are undertaking to
run lawfully established blockade. In the
former case. of course. seizures may be
effected anywhere; in the latter, only by
ship of the blockading squadron and when
intent to eyade the blockade is established.
In the latter case, also. the right of seizure
is not limited by the fact that the cargo is
wholly noncontruband
1t is true that as to contraband the Federal
government in the War Between the States
established the doctrines of continuous voy-
age and ultimate destination" and by the
application of these principles prevented the
shipment Of arms and ammunition through
Nassau and Mexico into the Confederacy.
These doctrines had nothing to do with the
blockade of Southern ports that was main
tanned by cordons Of Federal warships. AS
contraband, arms and munitions were subject
to seizure anywhere, and without regard to
the existence or nonexistence of blockade.
That they were to stop for time at neutral
port on the way to supply the Confederate
armies was held by the Supreme Court not
to change their essential character.
A blockade is another matter altogether
It's purpose is to- stop all trade between the
ports bockaded and neutral countries
whether the trade be in contraband or non
contraband. Its validity depends on its effec-
tiveness, and its agreement with the principles
OF international law. 1t never can, for ex-
ample, extend lawfully to the coast line of
neutral nation, which is what the orders in
council attempt to do for the so-caled block
ade" England has proclaimed
England essays to stop, not only trade in
contraband, between this country and Ger
many, through Holland and Scandinavia, but
trade of every description whatever She has
undertaken to forbid American importation
through neutral countries of German prod
ucts necessary TO the successful operation OF
American industries. So far as we are in
formed no such doctrine has ever been
acQuiesced in by the United States or any
other government.
Germany upholds her barbarous submarine
policy on the ground that it is necessary"
and Great Britain can offer no better defense
of her own violations of law. The United
States protests in both cases because its inter-
ests ar affected and its rights violated. If
1T admits the British plea of necessity and
reprisa it must confess the German plea to
he equally valid, because in law they have
precisely the same oundation-which is none.
all.
1t is no answer to the American protest
iol Niedt oTltalli 10 suggest, or even to prove
that contraband shipments from this country
have IN the past months of the war found
their way into Germany, or that, despite limi-
tations, American trade has maintained a
degree OF prosperity. Shipments of absolute
contraband leave the United States every
day consigned to allied ports, and we point
out TO Germany with equal justice and accu-
racy that it y not the duty Of neutral, but
OF the belligerent to prevent these goods
reaching their destination. We point out
moreover, that the preventive meaYures
taken, when they concern citizens, must
accord with the rules OF civilized warfare
We tell Great Britain exactly the same thing
We who sympathiae with the allies may
rejoice-as we do--that international law
strictly and impartially pursued. In spirit and
in letter. gives the overwhelming advantage
of our trade TO the allied cause That is no
reason, however, why we should violate our
own neutrality and compromise our own
dignity by permitting, unchallenged the Brit
ish invasion OF our indsputablc rights.