The Detroit times., 1915-03-17
A m erica Powerless
Against Blockade,
Says C. B. Warren
NO PRECEDENT
IN LEGAL CODE
Britain Justi fies
Course By Germany's
Hlegalities

80, auo eau enforce th6ir DioCkhuo
crdsrs. We can protest. but this 10
. war for exirtence. and our pro-
tests are not likely TO be complied
with. Nevertheless. Il n the duty
of our state department to try to get
al the favor II can for American
chipping"
This "a tho statement of Charles
b. Warren. who IL one OF the coun-
try's leading authorities on interna-
tional Law.
Mr.. Warren has been asked by
several Detroit Arms TO pass on con-
tracts with citizens OF the belliger.
sut powers. and has acquainted him.
sslf Intimately with the legal phases
Of the blocsxsdc
Britain admits" he says, that
she has no legal precedent for the
blockade, but declares that Il 10
Justified because Of Gsrmany's II
legal course In ordering her subma-
rines 20 blow up vessels without
making certain that they are enemy
vessels. and without taking OF the
crews. Germany's threat may be TO
garded. however. more a. an at
tempt to scare British ships from
the sea. and neutral ships from an
attempt TO trade with the allies.
tAan a. . serious attempt to block
ads Britain. Britain. inasmuch N
she n IN control of the sea, 10 In
much better position TO make her
blockade effective.
tionAl law has been that q belliger.
snt may blockade the ports OF an
ether belliserent, n her power Ia
great enough. But now Britain pro-
poses to seize every ship which con-
tains goods presumed TO be for an
enemy nation. even though they are
consigned TO . neutral port. and also
every ship which contains goods con-
signed to a neutral port. but pre-
sumed 10 have originated In an Aus
TRAN or German port. She aims not
only 70 keep foreign commodities
out Of Germany and Austria. but
% prevent Germany and Austria
nom receiving money from goods
which their citizens have shipped.
Carsoes thus seized are to be taken
% ports OF the allies and turned
over to q prize court. which viii Do
tsrmins the status OF the shipments.
Britain admits that there Is no precc-
dent for this action. but claims
Justification In Germany's course.
1T does not seem TO be generally
understood that Britain feels justi-
ned In stopping shipments Of food
10 German citizens because the en-
tire food supply Of the German ma
don has been commandered by the
government.
Two interesting facts have come
20 my attention I'm regard to the
blockade. One IL that Johnson q
Higgins, one OF the largest insur-
ance houses in America. is insuring
cargoes against risk Of capture for
two per cent. The ordinary rate Of
Insurance for safety at sea is small
fraction OF this rate. The other IL
that two steamship lines operating
between Holland and America. and
Denmark and America. will not &C
cept cargoes of German origin"
Mr.. Warren produced letter writ
ten by Johnson q Higgins. Offering
10 insure. for two per cent. earsoes
from risk OF capture. seizure or de-
struction or damage. by men OF war,
By letters Of maroue. by taking at
sea. arrests. restraints. acts OF kings.
princes and people. authorized by or
IN prosecution OF hpstilities between
belligerent nations, but excluding
claims for delay. deterioration or
loss Of market"
Harry Gee, agent for the Amert
can Express Co, In New York. has
written Mr.. Warren that the Hol-
land.American line from Rotterdam
and the Observation-Disclosures line
from Copenhagen viii not accept car
goes Of German or Austrian origin,
and demand. with every consign.
ment. a certificate showing the
country of its origin.