264 ROWE— AMERICA AS THE 



we are certain to descend to a lower plane in the adjustment of inter- 

 national relations. It may well be that the Declaration of Paris 

 requires revision, and that the Declaration of London no longer 

 meets present needs, but in such revision the voice and influence of 

 non-belligerents should be heard and given due weight. Probably 

 the most pressing questions upon which neutral action is necessary 

 are: 



First. Shall we admit the right of belligerents indefinitely to 

 extend the list of contraband articles, so that the distinction between 

 absolute and conditional contraband practically disappears ? 



Second. Shall we accede to the rule that the doctrine of con- 

 tinuous voyage can under any circumstances be applied to condi- 

 tional contraband ? 



Third. Shall we admit of the refining away of the distinction 

 between a " naval or military base," and all the other ports of a 

 country, so as practically to destroy the distinction ? 



Fourth. Shall we agree to a reestablishment of the old rule of 

 the Consolate del Mare, that enemy goods on board neutral vessels 

 are liable to capture, even if such goods are not contraband of war? 



Fifth. Shall we accede to the new definition of blockade, and to 

 the penalties attached to the violation thereof ? 



Sixth. Shall we agree to the new interpretation placed on the 

 " right of search " ? 



Seventh. Shall we tolerate the hovering of belligerent cruisers 

 along the coast line of the republics of America. 



Eighth. Serious consideration should also be given to the plan 

 proposed by the Museo Social Argentine, which has aroused much 

 discussion in the countries of South America. This important or- 

 ganization proposed, soon after the outbreak of the war, that steps 

 should be taken by the republics of America to eliminate belligerent 

 operations from American waters, and also to secure the freedom 

 of all purely inter-American commerce, irrespective of the question 

 whether such commerce was carried in neutral or belligerent bot- 

 toms. While this represents a most important extension of neutral 

 rights, the recognition of such a principle would have avoided much 

 unnecessary suffering inflicted on the American republics by reason 

 of the European conflict. 



