CONDITIONAL CONTRABAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 1, 2 January 1915, Page 4

CONDITIONAL CONTRABAND.

The Auckland Star, discussing the American Note, remarks: Now all things regarded as conditional contra-

band are liable to capture, it it can be shown that they are destined for the, use of the enemy. Naturally a belligerent needing such goods, and the exporter supplying him will try to avoid suspicion by directing such consignments to neutral ports; and here we have to face the doctrine of “continuous voyage.” According to this principle it is maintained by some authorities that conditional contraband may bo confiscated if it seems probable that, having reached a neutral port, it is destined to be transported further to reach the enemy. Now, it is important to observe tfhat, while the Declaration of London was under discussion, the United States joined with England, France, and Italy in maintaining that “a ship carrying goods which would be conti aband if on their way to an enemy port might be seized on the way to a neutral port if it could be shown that the goods had an ulterior destination for the enemy’s country or armed forces.” This view' of “continuous voyage” was strongly opposed by Germany, and in part by Russia, and it was finally abandoned in regard to conditional contraband by England. Rut it is certainly remarkable that the Americans should now be found protesting so strongly against*any attempt to apply the principle they upheld three years ago.