TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-01-16

NNA AAAANAHA AWNNAA AtA.NAN VIZ ~ 49,
is note protesting against the Brit
ish attitude toward American COM
merce. a little knowledge Of the
international laws Of naval warfare
10 indispensable.
II is the common understanding
among the Powers Of the world that
IN the event OF war either OF the
parties 10 the war Is nj liberty 10 de-
tect al sea II It can, and coniiseate,
articles on the way 10 Us enemy and
destined 10 be used against II in the
conflict. From early times, FOR In
stance, a nation at war with another
nation was at liberty 10 apprehend
ealtpeter on It's way 70 its enemy
saltpeter being clearly intended for
the Manufacture Of powder. Articles
Of this kind, clearly intended for
warlike uses Of an enemy, are known
a. absolute contraband.
This right Of a belligerent 10 detect
at sea and confiseate c~ontraband Is
not to be interpreted as laying any
obligation upon a neutral country to
prevent the export OF e%ontrahan0.
That is another subject, but In
general II may be said that the citlz.
ans Of a neutral country are at liberty
% sell contraband of war TO both
belligercntsLsubject always to the
LANCER OF its being seized In transit
BY the enemy Of the %belligerent to
which il Is consigned.
There il a second class Of articles
II eommerce-articles which might
)r might not be destined for military
Use. To this hlass belong. for in
stance. such things as clothing, coal,
and provisions. It Is clear that fuel,
y siothing and foodetnfls may be intend.
I'd for the peaceful consumption OF
ne population OF one OF the belliger
snts In the ordinary ways Of life. This
class OF articles is defined as the
class Of conditional e~ontraband "
and the rule Of international Law re-
garding II Is this: Conditional contra
band Is subject 10 seizure by an
enemy II It is detected at sea on It's
way to the army. navy, or official ad-
ministration Of the enemy Govern
ment. II Is not subject TO seizure IL
consigned 10 a neutral country or to
private citizens of a country at war.
The issue between the Govern
ment Of the United States and that
OF Great Britain lies here. Let us get
the facts, then, clearly In mind: It Is
q firmly established principle Of
modern international law that articles
Of conditional ~contraband. carried In
neutral ships, not intended for the
use OF the army, navy or Government
Of a ~belligerent, are not subject to
capture or detention at sea. II In
tended for military use they are so
subject-they are eontraband; but II
destined for the ordinary use OF life
III the enemy's country, and not dist
inctly for the enemy's forces, they
, are not contraband.
The Declaration Of London.
On Feb. 26, 1909, an international
congress n session in London pro
mulgated what has become known as
the Declaration Of London relative to
the Law of naval warfare. The pro-
visions of this declaration were the
result Of long study on the part Of
experts in International law and
practice; they represent the result
of a careful Weighing OF the Interest
OF beIligerents on the one side and OF
neutral countries on the other side
during the prevalence Of war. The
Declaration OF London has never re-
ceived ratification at the hands OF
the Powers; yet it represents the
consensus Of expert opinion establish
ed by accredited representatives Of
the worlds Powers, and stands as thu
fullest and latest statement of the
principles Of international law on the
subject.
At the opening Of the presen,
European war the British Govern.
men fAug. 20, 1910 isgaed an Order
In Council. declaring 1t to be the in.
tention OF the Government TO ACT
during the present hostilities In ac
cordance with the provisions of tne
Declaration Of London, subject to
y some additions and notifications.
A study Of the notifications with
the British ORDER In Council Their
proceeds to make reveals the fact
that the pretenae that the British
Government Ia observing the Declare
ton Of London would be much nKs
the claim Of a man who professed
that he was carefully observing til,
commandments Of Moses, subjec'
10 the striking out Of the nots. The
additions and notifications which thu
British Government hat placed upof
the Declaration of London are O
such a character that they obliteratI
the Declaration.
The Declaration of London. in Ar
ticles XXI, XIV, and XVII, est
ablished q list Of absolute contrabanu
another OF conditional contraband
and another Of merchandise no
%contraband. These lists the British
Government by its Order in Council
of Aug. 20, and by the other order
dependent upon this, willfully alters
As late as Dec. rs Great Britain
notified the United States Govern
ment that a new list of absolute am
conditional ~contrabnnd had beel
issued. Not content with the addition
to the list Of absolute contraband o
h such articles as airships and part
OF airships, copper, nickel, rubber
and lubricating oil, England .durin
the present week has added I
the list Of absolute contrs
band sulphur, glycerine, nitric acid
camphor. turpentine, f~erro-mangaI
ese, tungsten, fer%ro-yanadium, cobali
manganese, zinc, lead, anthony, all
minimum, tires for motor vehicles an
for bicycles, articles adapted for th
repair OF tires. raw rubber vast
derivatives OF coal tar, and twice