The New York herald., 1922-04-30
eciof DtSpotrh 10 THE NEW YORK HEsAiI
New York Herald Bureau.
WashinGtsa. ID. C., April 20.

7 --s~rN'ft'
Nrv York Herald bureau.
washinEtsa. ID. C.. April 20.
Advfces from abroad indicate that
curious situation mas come about
relative to the position of the merchant
ship in war. AS the various nations
take conflicting views the matter
digs deeply into the treaty regulating
warfare against merchant shipping,
formulated at the armament con-
ference. Indeed. it has been hinted
that should the threatened armament
conference. recently suggested at Ge-
noa, materiaiize the status of the
merchant ship would be one Of the
main subjects for discussion.
British navy men. according To a
reliable source. contend that a mer-
chant ship may be armed and carry
contraband In time OF war. On the
other hand the Italians are under
stood to hold that merchant ship
cannot be armed or carry contraband
In time of war. 1t Is to be seen that
clash between these two extremes
VIII probably yield real definition OF
merchant ship and possibly a more
explicit definition of what blockade
really is.
or course the position Of America IL
uncertain as yet. 1t is understood that
during the armament conference this
matter was brought to the attention of
our delegates by Senator Schanzer of
ne Italian delegation. Mr.. Root is un-
derstood TO have replied that mercha n,
ship is merchant ship and has always
been recognized as such. But naturally
this reply could not settle q matter
which has troubled nations for CEN
tures.
Basis Of British stand.
The British have good eronnds for
their claims. Merchant ships have all
ways carried contaband. During the
war between the North and the South
British blockade runners brought mn
nitions to the Confederates despite the
niockading Union forces. During the
last war American. Spanish and other
Heutrai ships carried contraband 70 neu-
ira. ports which eventually reached
German hands. This was. of course
before America entered the struggle
But the British were not long In recog-
nizing the traffic. Vessels carrying war
materials to neutral countries were de-
ciared prey to the blockading British
cruisers. The practice was all but
stopped. As long as merchants can be
counted upon to get war trade mer-
chant ships will carry contraband. BE-
cause OF these facts American naval
men are inclined to take the English
view OF this particular point.
Undoubtedly the reason for the sup-
posed attitude toward arming merchant
men In time OF war. said to be taken
by the British. comes from Article XIV.
OF the naval treaty formulated at the
armament conference. II states that
merchant ships may be built in time Of
peace with the necessary deck stiffen-
ing for the mounting Of guns not to ex-
ceed six inches in caiiber. Under tn,
treaty no other wariiie preparations
can be attempted aboard merchant
ships In peace time.
During the last war the British found
T. entirely necessary to arm their mer-
chant vessels. Even neutral nations
did II. It was accepted by the nations
OF the world as a necessary move. But
the conditions OF the last war were en-
tirely different from any that preceded
H. Germany struck submarine blows
that were contrary to all laws OF hu-
manity. To prevent recurrence OF such
events the treaty regulating the conduct
of future naval wars was made at
Washington.
Credit I'm italian Attitude.
The Italian attitude was much To its
credit. A vessel carrying contraband IL
working against the war interests of one
or the combatant Powers Raw mate
rials which aid a nation In augmenting
or reinforcing its war strength must
certainly be placed on the negative list
by enemy Poweru. Ships carrying them
are aiding one side in winning the war.
In this sense they are committing un-
friendly acts. and In this is the reason
Tor their seizure In time Of war.
But merchant ships will carry con-
-