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NEUTRALITY.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
not, the ship or the factor is committing a ini demeanour.
All these
[January 23, 1905. dezvous. France, too, having probably never looked upon the expedition as within the For similar reasons it has been held a range of probabilities, also showed some breach of neutrality for any neutral Power symptoms of passing over the affair lightlý. to permit a belligerent ship to make use of But then cune the consideration as to what its ports to refit, except such repairs as are the fleet was likely to do. It had committed a grave outrage on setting out, it had mis- actually necessary to keep it afloat till it can attain a place of safety. It is likewise for-conducted itself in Crete, the remembrance bidden to supply it with coal more than of its deeds in the Red Sea was not assur- sufficient to reach the nearest port. Here ing, and the Japanese were pressing, and a considerable divergence of opinion is left could not be ignored, as they hai w II- unsettled. Logically the proviso was in- founded complaints to make as to the dis-' tended to mean one of its own ports, but regard of international law. as we have seen in several cases belligerent things set the Powers thinking; they har one and all had about enough of the contest ships have been supplied with coal to en- able them to proceed to another neutral in the Far East, which was blocking the port, where they claime a like privilege. | trade of the entire world; they had even In default of this bellige eut ships are by been discussing the coming possibilities of the existing rule require to clear out of putting an end to the war: the fall of Port the neutral port within twenty-four hours, Arthur was imminent; why should they, by unless a hostile ship should happen to be lending actual assistance to Russia, con- there at the time, when it must be granted trary to all international law, prolong the twenty-four hours' grace. The intention is present unsatisfactory conditions ?
Looking to Europe, Russia was pursuing a that a neutral should not under penalty of losing its neutrality afford active aid in reckless policy at home which was threaten- carrying on hostilities to either one or othering to light again the fires of revolution; was it to the advantage of any of them to of the belligerents. Now it is certain that in certain cases in the present campaign all aid Russia in her dangerous designs, even these stipulations have been at times dis- at the cost of tearing to pieces international laws which the experience of more than regarded, either from inadvertence, or from
half a century had shown to be in the in- an idea that in enforcing them they were practically aiding one orfother of the hostileterest of civilisation at large?
The attempt of the Russian Powers. Baltic fleet to reach Port Arthur has em- phasised the importance of arriving at some better understanding on the points at issue. At the beginning of the war both Russia and Japan had powerful fleets in Eastern waters, and it did not seem likely that any other than merely ordinary con- d tions had to be satisfied, nad when with the approbation of all the other Powers China's neutrality came to be secured, it appeared that all that would be required of neutrals would be to cairy out the ordinary rules of neutrality. main
(Daily Press 14th Jauuary.) Whatever may be the final results of the fall of Port Arthur, it is some satisfaction to find that the European Powers are at last waking up to a better comprehension of their duties as neutrals. The progress of the Russian fleet to the waters of the Far East, entailing as it does, even at its best, ques- tions, not hitherto considered from the international point of view, was likely to raise many hitherto unsettled problems in international law, which were certain to prove embarrassing to neutral trade. In the present case Russia has shown an evi- dent desire to strain to the uttermost the acknowledged rights of a belligerent, and to place her own construction on questions of international law not hitherto decided, and in certain cases, as the right of neutrals to carry mails, has actually taken it upon herself to remove mails addressed to a hostile Power from neutral ships. Again she has claimed the right to decide of her own motion, with- out consultation with other Powers, what is or what is not contraband of war. The whole tenour of the Declaration of Paris, to which most of the maritime Powers have given their adherence, was to legalise as far as possible the rights of neutrals, and Russia was one of the Powers which it the time desired to carry the rights of neutrals to the furthest possible limits; she, when the found it was apparently to her own immediate purpose to restrict those rights, was pleased to extend the rights of the belligerent. It was perhaps as well for all parties that the Congress at Paris did not attempt to define these respective rights by definite rules. The whole question was to unsettled, and all the Powers saw that the world was on the eve of great changes, and that it was inadvisable to proceed fur.
ther
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narrow
Russia must be blam-
ut
These are some of the considerations which have at this eleventh hour inducel the Europ au Powers to ensiler that issu ́s very much more important than the m rẻ struggles of Russia and Japan were stake. Whatever the reasons, we cannot but feel grateful that the Continental S ates have at last waked up to an apprehension of the fact that their own best interests were at stake.
LIFE IN THE EAST,
(Daily Press, 16th January.) A comparison of life in China_with_that which is passed by average people at Home has always been a favourite subject of dis- cussion.
Life hero
certain than laying down principles, leaving it to experience to el for first making the definition of the decide what bard and fast rules should after- rights and duties of neurals a burning wards be put in practice. These general question. Her very first step in fact threw
There is a certain fascination principles, however, decided certain funda- down the gauntlet. Uler the pretence of
Home," with its old associations, mental points. There is, for instance, no being innocent inerchant ships certain about" doubt that no neutral Power is justified in vessels of hers, flying the ordinary merchant which exercises an influence, conscious or rendering active assistance to any one of the flag, passed the Dardanelles and the Suez unconscious, upou most people who for a
Arrived in the neutral though time are exiles in the Far East. belligerents; they are not to help either by Canal.
waters of the Red Sea, they is looked upon by most people as a dwelling supplying men, arms nor ships; and are
hoisted the naval flag, and at once in tabernacles to be succeeded in due time bound to use every reasonable means to
to. make raids on neutral by a better existence in a happier land. prevent their subjects from doing so.. Great proceeded
The hope of returning to familiar surround- Britain was for instance adjudged guilty of vessels, claiming the right of deciding on
their own
sole authority what was con- ings, to well-known scenes and early sur neglect in permitting the Alabama, plainly fitted out as a man-of-war, to leave her traband, and beyond this boarding and roundings, is steadily kept before their eyes ports at the early part of the American War examining neutrals bound to neutral ports by the large majority of persons from the of Secession. In the same way neutral and removing mail matter, or offending day they land; and with this hope, a ten- Powers have been restrained from supplying portions of their cargo. It was manifest dency generally arises to depreciate what is either Russia or Japan with ships of war, that in the interests of commerce at large actually around them, and to make dom- such a state of affairs could not be permit-parisons, often of a somewhat superficial and the sea, at least, has not been made use of for supplying either with arms. Many ted to continue, and after a time such pres- character, between this ideal and the life nations, as England, have made it a legal sure was brought to bear that the offending which has of necessity to be spent for a offence for any of their subjects to be ships were withdrawn. Then Russia an- time out here. People are thus a little to much inclined to overlook many. ad. engaged in any such transaction, but here nounced her intention of sending out a
The vantages which they enjoy, and come the question as to what is to be considered considerable part of her home fleet.
one of in- by degrees to consider they are legal still remains a moot point. The prin- attitude of Europe at first was cipal mercantile nations view with jealousy credulity, and no steps were taken on behalf way ill-used by having to pass a part a country so different any attempt to interfere with their private of any of the European Powers till the of their lives in trade with a belligerent. It is no offence, actual sailing of the fleet took most of the from the one from which they come.
Powers by surprise. Unfortunately for comparisons which are thus made are for instance, to supply Japan or Russia with coal; it is an offence to supply either Russia the very first act of the fleet was to generally to the disparagement of life iu. with coal to aid it in actual hostilities. It commit a gross outrage, which did not im- these parts. Its many advantages are taken is no offence to supply either in any quan- prove the position of Russia in the face of as a matter of course, and whatever of good tity with, say, railway materials. Either the other nations. Then it was found that may be found, the idea is for ever present "how much better this would be, if it werə may be intended eventually to aid in mili- Russia had been making secret arrange-
A good deal of this results tary or naval operations, but it does not ments for the coaling of the fleet at sea. ouly at Home." appear that there rests any bligation on Up to this time no common understanding trom the somewhat simple fact that the real the exporter to enquire into these intentious. had been arrived at as to the treatment of life in China is compared with an imaginary one at Home, or at best with one which There is, however, no apparent doubt that the flet in the neutral ports at which it in putting coal directly on board a belli- might find it necessary to call, and the first could only be enjoyed by persons of a gerent ship, whether ostensibly for the purport, Vizo, had apparently no instructions certain amount-much more than many consider-of affluence, and in surroundings pose of aiding it in carrying où hostilities or and allowed it as in ordinary times to ren-
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