Norwich bulletin., 1915-08-04
Changes in Naval Warfare.

Iney are unaOlS to aQul1L that a. belligerent violates any fundamental principle of international law by apply ing blockade in such a way as to cut off the enemy's commerce with foreign countries through neutral ports, if the circumstances render such an applica- tion of the principles of blockade the only means of making is effective. The government of the United States, in deed. intimates its readiness to take into account the great changes which have occurred in the conditions and means of naval warfare since the rules hitherto governing legal blockades were formulated, and recognizes that the form of close blockade with its cordon of ships in the immediate off1ng of the blockaded ports Is no longer practicable in the face of an enemy possessing the means and opportunity to make an effective defense by the use of submarines, mines and aircraft. The only question, then, which can arise, in regard to the measures resorted to for the purpose of carrying out a blockade upon these extended lines, is, whether, to use your excellency's 8 words, they conform to the spirit and principles of the essence fo the rules of war and we shall be content to ap- ply this test to the action which we have taken in so far as 1t has necessi- tated interference with neutral com merce." Refers to Civil War Blockade.
 Sir Edward Grey then refers to the | American Civil war blockade of 5000 miles of coast with small number of vessels and recalls how the United l States finally took recourse to blockad- | ing neighboring neutral territory which afforded convenient centers from which contraband could be intro | duced into confederate territory and from which blockade running could be facilitated.
 Old Principles of Blockade.
 Your excellency will no doubt re- member" wrote Sir Edward, how, in | order to meet this new difficulty, the old principles relating to contraband | doctrine of continuous voyage was ap- piled and enforced, under which goods destined for the enemy territory were | intercepted before they reached the l neutral ports from which they were to | be re-exported.
 Reshapins of Old Rules.
 l "The difficulties which imposed upon I the United States the necessity of re- shaping some of the old rules are | somewhat akin to those with which the allies are now faced in dealing with l the trade of their enemy. Adjacent to l Germany are various neutral countries which afford her convenient opportuni- l ties for carrying on her trade with for eign countries. Her own territories are l covered by network of railways and | waterways which enable her commerce | to pass as conveniently through ports | in such neutral countries as through l her own. A blockade limited to enemy ports would leave open routes by which | every kind of German commerce could pass almost as easily as through the l ports in her own territory.
 Enemy Commerce Through Neutra
 Ports.
 1 Rotterdam is indeed the neares, | outlet for some of the industrial dis tricts of Germany. It seems accord tngly that If 1t be recognized that 6 | blockade IS in certain cases the appro. l priate method of intercepting the trade l of an enemy country, and if the block l ade can only become effective by ex. tending it to enemy commerce passing | through neutral ports. such an exten- sion is defensible and in accordance with the principles which have met wtt general acceptance.'
 Cites Civil War Case.
 The note then refers to the case O. the British ship Springbok, seized b1 | United States cruisers during the CiVi war while bound for the British Wes Indies, because her cargo. it wa! charged, was to be transshipped to tht confederate states. The, supreme cour of the United States sustained tn, seizure against the condemnation of { group of prominent international law. | yers, although the United States anG British governments took ythe broade | view and recognized the developmen
 of the older method of blockade. N
 protest was made by Great Britain.
 Injury to Neutrals Should Be Avoided
 What is really important, in tn, general interest" says the note, "i
 that adaptations of the old rules shoulC not be made unless they are consisten with the general principle upon whicl an admitted belligerent right is based It is also essential that all unnecessar, | injury to neutrals should be avoided
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