New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

man owners ultimately must be com
pensated
The ships, scattered in he ports Of
continental United States. Porto Rico
and the Pacific island possessions. in
Guiding the Philippines. comprise some
OF the best known ocean liners and
aggregate 628,S37 gross tons. Only in
case OF war IS there possibility of their
being absolutely confscated. and even
then such action is doubtful, for the
United States in the world court OF
nations has been the leading exponent
Of the inviolability of private property
Mails viii continue 20 move under
the Geneva convention and other exist
ing special conventions
SO far as individuals are concerned,
the status remains practically un-
changed by "A break in diplomatic re-
latons. Upon the conduct OF Amerl-
cans in Germany and the conduct Of
Germans and German sympathizers in
the United States depends the attitude
OF the respective governments regard
ing them.
The humanitarian task of guarding
the welfare of soldiers in the prison
camps of their enemies and the care
Of German civilians detained IN the
Entente countries ceases. This vast
task. which was being performed by
American diplomatic representatives IN
England, in the French camps in Al
rica and in the Russian camps, extend
ing TO the icy wastes OF Siberia, Will
have 70 be confided to other hands.
Likewise the welfare OF British. French,
Russian and other allied prisoners IN
Germany, Austria and Turkey will pass
10 some other neutral power.
Precedent for the severance of dipio-
matte relations is found IN modern
history only between lesser nations
and between first class powers and
lesser ones. The United States sus-
pended diplomatic relations with
Mexico. and only recently were they
resumed II suspended diplomatic re-
lations with Nicaragua when the clc-
tator. Zelaya, executed two Amerl-
cans. Cannon and Groce.
Great Britain suspended diplomatic
relations with Venezuela foc ten
wears. from 1887 10 1897, and suspend
ed diplomatic relations with Serbia
from 1908 TO 1905. after the murder
Of King Alexander and Queen Draga.
After the breaking Of diplomatic re-
Iatiors comes the possibility Of other
OF redress" which also are measures
short Of war
Non-intercourse acts can be passed
bv Congress 70 stop commerce between
the United States and Germany, but as
the war already has put the trade at a
low ebb the effect will be negllgl bic.
Such acts were passed against Great
Britain and France between 1888 and
1909.
Displays of force have been used fire.
ouently By the United States and Euro
pean powers to impress the earnestness
OF their position. Writers on interna-
tional law class the allied march to
the relief of the legations at Peking as
a display of force snort of war.
When all the measures snort OF war
have been exhausted or either nation
decides TO dispense with them comes
the eventuality-wsr itself.
More than 100 times since 100 war
has begun before il was formally de-
clared. Only twelve times in the 2l6
wears has war actually been declared
before hostilities began. The latest
notable instance of war without deeia-
ration was the opening action OF the
Russo-Japanese war, when hcnlraI
Togo struck a Russian feet. RUSSIA
complained Of a surprise attack, ouV
Japan pcinted out she had notlned Rus-
STA she was breaking off diplomatic re-
lations and reserved the right 10 take
"such Independent action as might be
deemed best"
The Hague convention of 1907 took
notice of the situation and adopted an
article making it mandatory for ma
ton 20 declare war before beginning
hogtilities. Germany and the United
States. with other nations, agreed TO II,
and also agreed that neutral powers
must be notified Of the state Of war
without delay.