27.12.2012 Views

WHO ARE THE HUNS?

WHO ARE THE HUNS?

WHO ARE THE HUNS?

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Starvation as a Weapon. 281<br />

take place in the sphere of naval warfare; and then only by<br />

means of the legitimate measures comprised in the cutting-off<br />

of imports, by blockade and by the right of seizure at sea.<br />

In this sense and within these limits it is internationally<br />

recognized as one of the means of conducting war. Professor<br />

Lammasch writes as follows in the "Osterreichischen Zeitschrift<br />

fur ôffentliches Recht" (1914, page 759):<br />

"Even though the annihilation of trade as an end in war<br />

may not occupy the same prominence as in the trade wars<br />

between England and the Netherlands, the fact nevertheless<br />

remains that at present the interruption of imports and exports<br />

by sea, the interference with the trade in food supplies, raw<br />

materials and manufactured goods, the strangling of industry,<br />

the shattering of credit, the raising of prices and the scarcity<br />

of supplies necessary for the subsistence of life, are most effective<br />

measures for undermining the power of resistance of the<br />

enemy state. Unemployment and hunger are today, perhaps<br />

in a still greater measure than before, mighty allies, since they<br />

bring with them revolt and collapse."<br />

The "right of blockade" is today practically negatived in<br />

view of the activity and the radius of action of the submarine,<br />

nor can England be said to be in a position to make a practical<br />

and effective blockade.<br />

The right of seizure at sea may also be carried out only<br />

according to the limitations of international law, in especial<br />

with regard to the recognized principles of the Paris Declaration<br />

of Maritime Law as well as the accepted usages of the London<br />

Declaration. A special restriction is placed upon the seizure<br />

of neutral goods upon enemy ships as well as enemy goods<br />

upon neutral ships, provided that these are not comprised<br />

within the definition of what is legally declared as contraband.<br />

Wehberg, an authority upon these matters, is quite<br />

in the right in the position he assumes, namely, that the right<br />

of seizure at sea, when carried out in accordance with international<br />

law, is quite unable to produce a condition which would make<br />

it possible so completely to cut off a nation's supplies as to<br />

starve it out. The law of contraband, however, a law which<br />

the powers of the Triple Entente devote in reality to the starvingout<br />

of Germany, is under no circumstances permitted to serve

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!