The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-02-08
Danger of HostiIities Follow
inc Break Between Powers
Action Means Others Must Take Up Work of Humanity in
Prison Camps and Other European Relief Work-vaIu-
able German Tonnage in U. S. Ports May Be Used.

| relations with Venezula for 10 years
| from 1887 to 1897 and suspended di-
plomatic relations with Serbia from
1908 to 1906 after the murder of King
Alexander and Queen Draga.
After the breaking of diplomatic re-
lations comes the possibility of other
measures termed "nonamicable modes
of redress" which also are measures
short of war;" These modes of re-
dress may include reprisals, retalia-
tions, non-intercourse and display of
force and still there may be no state of
war. There are precedents of various
sort and range for such action.
In 1870 Congress authorized, Pres
ident Grant to suspend transit of
measure to prohibit Canadian vessels
in American water because of the at
titude of the Canadian government
toward American fishermen. An en-
barge on ships or exports is legitimate.
Congress imposed such embargoes in
the years preceding the war of 1912 on
trade with both England and France.
AS rule those were pacific embargoes
and prevented American ships from
carrying goods to the embargoed coun-
tres. Great Britain in 1903, however,
laid hostile embargo on Dutch YES
sells in British ports.
Force Display Often Used
Displays of force frequently have
been used by the United States and
European powers to impress the earn
estness of their position. Writers on
international law class the allied
march to the relief of the legations
at Peking as display of force short
of war.
When all the measures short of war
have been exhausted or either nation
decides to dispense with them, comes
the eventuality-war itself.
War Before Declaration
More than 100 times since 100 war
has begun before it was formally de-
clared. Only II times in the PIG years
has war actually been declared before
hostiltiies began.
The latest notable instance was the
opening action of the Russo-Japanese
war when Admiral Toxic struck Rus
sian fleet. 4
Russia complained of surprise at
tack but Japan pointed out she had
notified Russia she was breaking off
diplomatic relations and reserved the
right to take "such Independent actor
as might be deemed BEST"
Declaration Now Required
The Hague convention of 1907 too
notice of the situation and adopted an
article making it mandatory for ma
ton to declare war before beginning
hostilities.
Germany and United States, with !
other nations, agreed to it, and also
agreed that neutral powers must be |
notified of the state of war, without
delay.
It provided, however, that there
might be all ultimatum with condl.
tional declaration Of war.
Conventions Violated
The Hague conventions and the fab
rio of international law generally have
been so torn during the present war,
however, that no diplomatist ventures
to say how far any nation may be ex-
pected to regard itself as bound by the
provisions. 1t might be said that al
most anything is within range of pos
sibilities. In general practice a de-
claration of war has come to be re-
garded more as call to arms than a.
a notification to a prospective enemy
With the beginning of war the
! status of citizens treaties, consuls,
mails, commerce and property urder-
goes change which varies in differnt
degrees from that prevailing under
break of diplomatic returns.
uHpAJn WANT AIS Paw RIG