BREACH OF HAGUE CONVENTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 85, 5 September 1914, Page 2

BREACH OF HAGUE CONVENTION.

SINKING THE KAIPARIA.

We trust that Mr. Massey will draw the attention of the Imperial Government to the fact that the sinking of the Kaipara was internationally a criminal act, being in violation of a Hague Convention to which Germany waß party and signatory. This convention provides that the merchant ships of an enemy shall not be condemned excepting by a properly-constituted Prize Court, and shall not be sunk excepting under circumstances which are not oven remotely suggested in the case of the Kaipara. The German cruiser had, of course, exactly the same right to siiVk the Kaipara that the German army had to attack Belgium or the German navy to sow mines on the high seas; but that only emphasises the fact that she had no right at all. The Kaipara was destroyed in a feeble and futile attempt to cut oil Britain's food supply, a business assigned by Germany to footpad craft like the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, while the vaunted German navy hides in the Kiel Canal. When the war comes to a close, and all accounts are settled up, this unlawful sinking of the Kaipara should constitute one of the items of the long list of claims against Germany. Iu the meanwhile, our Prime Minister should formally notify the. Imperial Government of New Zealand's view of the matter. New Zealand cargoes cannot always be protected against piracy of this description, but when redress can be obtained it should be exacted to the utmost farthing.—Auckland Ilorald.