Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-23
Rights OF Neutrals on High Seas

THE British governments announcement OF
its purpose 20 seize At the steamship
Dacia, purchased by an American citizen. Ed
ward Breitung. OF Minneapolis. from the
Hamburg American Line. was expected so
confidently that, il causes no shock Ger
tainly. the note OF the British ambassador
conveying 10 the State Department the atti-
tude and purpose of his government. is
coucheo in the most concliatory terms that
could be devised
Under all the circumstances. ii is as we'll.
perhaps. that the legality Of this particular
transfer from the German to the American
flag should be passed by British prize
court Under the Declaration OF London
that alleged Magma Charta OF the rights of
neutrals on the high seas the transfer OF a
vessel from belligerent 10 a neutral flag 20
be valid. must have been in absolute good
faith. and not designed 10 escape the conse-
quences OF war Since the present war be-
gan however. the Declaration Of London has
been more honored in the breach than in the
observance. Great Britain having contributed
its full share 10 the Haunting OF the conven-
tons various terms.
This country. observing with a cynical eye
these numerous derelictionS and evasions de-
clared hluntly that the Declaration OF Lon
don should not control its position II is al
least worthy OF note that the declaration Is
not alluded 10 in the British statement In
regard TO the Dacia. which says merely that
Britain cannot agree that the transfer in
the circumstances in which 1t has been eff
Iected. is valid. in accordance with the ac-
copied principles OF International law"
Now. the accepted principles OF interna-
uonal law, save as they modified by the
Declaration OF London. expressly recognize
bona fde transfers of merchant vessels OF
peliigerent power. even in time OF war 1t
goes without saying that informed German
stea mships, II they sold in whatever good
faith TO American citizens sold RI eo,,a
extent for the purpose of evadng one of
wars consequences, that consequence being
that they are shut up in an American port
ana unable. because of the allied control Of
the sea, TO make money for their owners
Under the Declaration OF London such trans
fers would be invalid under international
law. as previously interpreted by all com
petent authorities including the leading
British writer's on the subject. such trans
fers If otherwise in good faith would be
perfectly legal
Great Britain can scarce expect this coun-
Try 10 view with complacency attempts on
heE part 10 blow hot and blow cold with the
terms Of the convention named for her e. nj
tai II. on the other hand, accepted interna-
tiona! Law IS 10 govern the prize courts find
ihgs II VIII be necessary 10 produce evidence
destructive OF the claim of good faith made
on behalf Of the Dacia's new owners Al
the worst. We shall learn exactly where Bril-,
ain stands
II good faith ts al ,ha, is necessary. there
Is sho'heF argument in favor OF rather than
against the Presidents shipping bill. In
umes Of var and great popular prejudice il
Is easy enough 20 upute bad faith 10 an in
c!Eiouai even though neutral, but no such
inpuiaiion Is = I'll likely 20 be made agains,
'H= Init"1 States. II this country were the
majority EtocEholder IN the corporation 70
winch German vessel had been transferred
mere would Dc no further question Of good
isilh- The "o-ld knows. and Crea, Britain
DEE o. al rHzt this nation, 80 long as pregi-
GEM "l!EoH c!rsc,s lis des;inies. will not sac
-t1ce its honor n aay consideration OF TEN
po-zrT or p@-'aa@en, advantage