The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-21

which. II she can enforce II. would he
n straightforward way of coerclng her
enemy without involving neutrals-the
case of the Wilhelmina will have under
rome no change. Our contention would
continue to he that this vessel must he
released and he allowed to proceed on
her voyage to Hamburg, for n blockade
cannot arect ships that went to sen be-
fore IL was proclaimed.
Urges the WnhcImtna's ReIcese.
should Great Britain carry out her
intimated purpose Of declaring all food
stuffs absolute c~ontraband OF war she
would assume nm attitude which the
United states would surely find the
greatest difficulty in admitting. But
neither in that event would the case Of
the Wilhelmina be affected. II for NJ
other reason than the fact that she has
a right to complete a voyage entered
upon before England had declared her
cargo contraband. The detention OF
that ship cannot he permitted 1t In an
American ship laden with the produce
OF Indiana, Illinois and Missouri farms
shipped by citizens Of the United States
across an ocean which we must main
tain Ia free to us for innocent purposes
to a market which We cannot concede
WV 10 ~ NhN wv Wv - NV w
close to our people
Enclosure.
INSTRUCTIONS To BRITISH DELE
CATION AT THE SECOND
PEACE CONFERENCE.
SIR EDWARD GREY To sir EDwARn FRI.
FoRElGN OFFICE. June -. 1907.
25. Hhs Matestv's Government recog-
nise to the fun the desirabllity OF free
Ing neutral commerce to the utmost en-
tent possible from Interference by bel
llgerent Powers. and they are ready
and willing for their part, IN lieu ~
endeavoring 10 frame new and more
satisfactory rules for the prevention of
contraband rad in the future. to aban-
don the principle OF contraband OF wai
altogether. thus allowing the oversee
trade In Neutral vessels between hellig-
erents on the one hand and neutrals on
the other to continue during war with
out any reStI. elton, subject only to i's
exclusion by blockade from an enemy's
port They are convinced that not only
the interest OF Great Britain hut the
common interest of all nat.ons will be
found, on an unbiased examination of
the subject, TO be served by the adop-
ION Of the course suggested.
20. IN the event OF the proposal not
being favorab'y received. an endetvor
w wv I ~ lfhl1If IL 4NNN VI AIf
articles that are to be regarded as con-
traband. You efforts should then be
directed 70 restricting that definition
within the narrowcst possible limits and
upon lines which have the point of rraC-
teal extinction as their ultimate aim.
81 If a definite list Of contraband
cannot be secured. you should support
md, II necessary. propose regulations
Intended TO insure that nations shat
publish during peace the list OF articles
they vii! regard as c~ortrahand during
war. and that no change shall be made
IN the let on the outbreak of or during
HoSt.lities.
%. A list might he prepared and sub
mittod for adoption by the conference
specifying the articles which in no event
shall fall within the enumeration OF
~Contraband. e. G. mails. foodstunfs des-
tined for places otae~ than ~belcarlered
tortreSses, ana any raw mater ais re-
dustry. II is essential 90 the interest
E Great Britain that every effective
measure necessary to protect the i'm
portation Of food supplies and raw ma
teria.s for peaceful industries should
he accompanied by all tho sanctions
VIII. ch the law OF nations can supply.
20. HIS Maicsty's Government would
further be glad TO see the right Of search
limited I'm every practicable way, @ z,
by the adoption ~ a system Of CON
sul1r certificates declaring the absence
~ c~ontrabaud from the cargo. and by
tie exemption of passenger and mail
steamers uDon defined routes. &c.