CORRESPONDENCE IN WAR

Press, Volume L, Issue 15047, 15 August 1914, Page 13

CORRESPONDENCE IN WAR

The Postmaster-General thinks it will allay public ansiety to publish an extract from the Hague Convention (1907) relating to the inviolability of postal correspondence, as follows:—

Convention annexed to Final Act at Second Peace Conference held at Madrid 1a 1907.

Convention (No. IX) relative to certain restrictions on the exercise ef the right of capture in marifime war. Chapter I. Postal Correspondence. Article I.—The postal correspondence of neutrals or belligerente, whatever iis official or private character, found

on board a neutral or enemy chip on the high seas is inviolable. If the ship is detainedj the correspondence is forwarded by the captor with the least possible delay. The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not, in case of violation of blockade, apply to correspondence proceeding to or from a blockaded port. Article 2.—Tho inviolability of postal correspondence does not exempt a neutral mail-«hip from the laws and customs of naval war respecting neutral merchant ships in general. The ship, however, may not be searched except ■when absolutely necessary, and then only frith as much consideration and expedition as possible. Signed by. Germany. Austria-Hun-gary, Italy, Great Britain. Franco. Belgium, Japan, Netherlands, Sorvia, Switzerland, lurkey.