New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-01


matter where encountered on the high
seas, IL bound TO or from Germany.
No Precedent for Policy.
There is no exact precedent for such
a policy, but It was considered likely
; in diplomatic circles that discussion as
10 its validity and recognition by neu-
trails would be based on the theory that
3 blockade" was being attempted. In
ternational law has several rules as TO
the maintenance Of naval and COM
mereial blockade, many of which have
been incorporated in conventions rati-
fed by the present belligerents, az
we'll as treaties between the United
States and some Of the European
powers.
The Declaration Of Paris In 1885,
. which proclaimed that a blockade to
be binding on neutrals must be ell
fective," has been followed in rules
/, since adopted by practically all ma
tions. The Hague conference OF 1907
added further rules, and in the Decla-
ration Of London Of 1909 was embodied
the generally accepted principles OF
blockade. England and France having
adopted as the basis Of their interna-
. tional law during the present war the
Declaration of London with certain
notifications, that document prooabIy
will be referred 10 in diplomatic con-
troversies which may arise over the
proposed step Of the Allies. One of the
articles Of this declaration says:
"The seizure of neutral vessels for
violation Of blockade may be made only
within the radius of action of the ships
of war assigned 70 maintain an ehec-
!. tive blockade" As for what consti-
tutes the radius Of action" the follow,
ing explanation is given by the United
States Naval War College in one OF
! its publications as having been univer-
sally accepted:
! when a government decides TO un-
. dertake blockading operations against
Z some part of the enemy coast. II as
eignS a certain number Of warships to
take part in the blockade, and intrusts
the command Of these to an ofhcer
whose duty il is to insure by this
means the effectiveness Of the blockade.
The commander of the naval force thus
formed distributes the ships placed ut
his disposal according 10 the conhgura,
ton OF the coast and the geographical
position Of the blockaded places, ana
gives each ship instructions as 10 the
part which she Is to play ana fsPe-
ciallv as to the zone intrusted TO her
surveillance. II is all of the zones or
surveillance together, organized IN
such a manner that the blockade IL
effective. that form the radius OF action
of the blockading force.
Ceases nav occur in which single
shin will be enough TO maintain q
blockade effectively. It does not seem
possible 20 assign limits to the RADIUS
Of action in definite and unvarylng ng-
ures. any more than II IS possible 10
fix beforehand and invaraoly the mum
her Of ships necessary 10 assure the ell
fectiveness of any blockade. lhese
points must be determined ACCORDING
10 circumstances in each particular
case of a blockade
THE radius of action of blockad-
ing naval force may extend somewhat
fer. but as it depends on the NUMBER
of ships contributing TO the effective
ness of the blockade, and IS Always
limited by the condition OF enectlVe-
pess, il will never reach remote seas
upon which merchant vessels SAL
which are, perhaps. destined for the
OlOckaOeQ ports Ddb VIZ
is contingent on the changes "nlC"
circumstances may produce III the
blockade during their voyage ,
1.-THE idea Of radius Of action Jolneo
IN that of effectiveness that Is to say
;ncludinp the zone of operations OF the
biockaGing forces-allOws the belhger-
emit 10 exercise in an effective manner
the fight Of blockade, which IS admitted
20 be his, and, on the other hano' II
saves neutlals from exposure to the IN
convenience OF blockade at great dis
lance. while il leaves them free to run
the risks 10 which they knowingly eK-
nose themselves by approaching, points
10 which access is forbidden by 'he
belligerent.' , 80.
Accented rules. it was pointed OUT
tonight, prescribe that blockade mus
be limited TO the ports and coasts OF
an enemy, and that each declaratoI
must give the geographical limits OF
the coast blockaded
Officials were treasured 10 an eNteh,
by press dispatches announcing III, Ihal
the contemplated action by the Allles
was not an answer TO the recent idenu-
cal note sent by the United States Ia
England and Germany in connection
with the submarine warfare on mer'
chant ships and the shipment OF 1000
stuffs TO the civilian population OF
belligerent.