projectiles the object of which is the diffusion of asphyxiating or deleterious gases.

The present Declaration is only binding on the Contracting Powers in the case of a war between two or more of them.

It shall cease to be binding from the time when, in a war between the Contracting Powers, one of the belligerents shall be joined by a Non-Contracting Power.

The present Declaration shall be ratified as soon as possible, etc.

XV.

Declaration relative to Expanding Bullets (1899).

The undersigned, Plenipotentiaries of the Powers represented at the International Peace Conference at The Hague, duly authorized to that effect by their Governments, inspired by the sentiments which found expression in the Declaration of St. Petersburg of November 29 [December 11], 1868,

Declare that

The Contracting Parties agree to abstain from the use of bullets which expand or flatten easily in the human body, such as bullets with a hard envelope which does not entirely cover the core, or is pierced with incisions.

The present Declaration is only binding for the Contracting Powers in the case of a war between two or more of them.

It shall cease to be binding from the time when, in a war between the Contracting Powers, one of the belligerents is joined by a Non-Contracting Power.

The present Declaration shall be ratified as soon as possible, etc.

XVI.

Declaration relative to Discharging Projectiles and Explosives from Balloons.

The undersigned, Plenipotentiaries of the Powers convoked to the International Peace Conference at The Hague, duly authorized to that effect by their Governments [inspired by

the sentiments which found expression in the Declaration of St. Petersburg of November 29 (December 11)], 1868, and desiring to renew the Declaration of The Hague of July 29, 1899, now expired,

Declare that

The Contracting Powers agree to prohibit, for a period coincident with the termination of the Third Peace Conference, the launching of projectiles and explosives from balloons, or by other new methods of a similar nature.

The present Declaration is only binding on the Contracting Powers in case of war between two or more of them.

It shall cease to be binding from the time when in a war between the Contracting Powers one of the belligerents is joined by a Non-Contracting Power.

The present Declaration shall be ratified as soon as possible, etc.

This denunciation shall only affect the notifying Power.

In witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries have affixed their signatures to this Declaration.

Done at The Hague [October 18, 1907].

XVII.

Declaration of London concerning the Laws of Naval War. (Signed February 26, 1909.)

His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia; the President of the United States of America; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc., and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of Spain; the President of the French Republic; His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India; His Majesty the King of Italy; His Majesty the Emperor of Japan; Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands; His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias;

Having regard to the terms in which the British Government invited various Powers to meet in conference in order to

arrive at an agreement as to what are the generally recognized rules of International Law within the meaning of Art. 7 of the Convention of October 18, 1907, relative to the establishment of an International Prize Court;

Recognizing all the advantages which an agreement as to the said rules would, in the unfortunate event of a naval war, present, both as regards peaceful commerce, and as regards the belligerents and their diplomatic relations with neutral Governments;

Having regard to the divergence often found in the methods by which it is sought to apply in practice the general principles of International Law;

Animated by the desire to ensure henceforward a greater measure of uniformity in this respect;

Hoping that a work so important to the common welfare will meet with general approval;

Have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries—that is to say: His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia:

M. Kriege, Privy Councillor of Legation and Legal Adviser to the Department for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The President of the United States of America:

Rear-Admiral Charles H. Stockton, retired;

Mr. George Grafton Wilson, Professor at Brown University and Lecturer on International Law at the Naval War College and at Harvard University.

His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc., and Apostolic King of Hungary:

His Excellency M. Constantin Théodore Dumba, Privy Councillor of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. His Majesty the King of Spain:

M. Gabriel Maura y Gamazo, Count de la Mortera, Member of Parliament.

The President of the French Republic:

M. Louis Renault, Professor of the Faculty of Law at Paris, Honorary Minister Plenipotentiary, Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Member of the Institute of France, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India:

The Earl of Desart, K.C.B., King's Proctor.

His Majesty the King of Italy:

M. Guido Fusinato, Councillor of State, Member of Parliament, ex-Minister of Public Instruction, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan:

Baron Toshiatsu Sakamoto, Vice-Admiral, Head of the Department of Naval Instruction;

M. Enjiro Yamaza, Councillor of the Imperial Embassy at London.

Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands:

His Excellency Jonkheer J. A. Roëll, Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty the Queen in Extraordinary Service, ViceAdmiral retired, ex-Minister of Marine;

Jonkheer L. H. Ruyssenaers, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, ex-Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias:

Baron Taube, Doctor of Laws, Councillor to the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor of International Law at the University of St. Petersburg.

Who, after having communicated their full powers, found to be in good and due form, have agreed to make the present Declaration:

PRELIMINARY PROVISION.

The Signatory Powers are agreed that the rules contained in the following Chapters correspond in substance with the generally recognized principles of International Law.

Chapter I.-Blockade in Time of War.

ART. 1.-A blockade must not extend beyond the ports and coasts belonging to or occupied by the enemy.

ART. 2.-In accordance with the Declaration of Paris of 1856, a blockade, in order to be binding, must be effective—

that is to say, it must be maintained by a force sufficient really to prevent access to the enemy coast-line.

ART. 3.-The question whether a blockade is effective is a question of fact.

ART. 4.-A blockade is not regarded as raised if the blockading force is temporarily withdrawn on account of stress of weather.

ART. 5.—A blockade must be applied impartially to the ships of all nations.

ART. 6. The commander of a blockading force may give permission to a warship to enter, and subsequently to leave, a blockaded port.

ART. 7.—In circumstances of distress, acknowledged by an officer of the blockading force, a neutral vessel may enter a place under blockade and subsequently leave it, provided that she has neither discharged nor shipped any cargo there.

Art. 8.—A blockade, in order to be binding, must be declared in accordance with Art. 9, and notified in accordance with Arts. II and 16.

ART. 9.—A declaration of blockade is made either by the blockading Power or by the naval authorities acting in its name. It specifies

(1) The date when the blockade begins;

(2) The geographical limits of the coast-line under blockade; (3) The period within which neutral vessels may come out. ART. 10.—If the operations of the blockading Power, or of the naval authorities acting in its name, do not tally with the particulars, which, in accordance with Art. 9 (1) and (2), must be inserted in the declaration of blockade, the declaration is void, and a new declaration is necessary in order to make the blockade operative.

ART. II. A declaration of blockade is notified

(1) To neutral Powers, by the blockading Power by means of a communication addressed to the Governments direct, or to their representatives accredited to it;

(2) To the local authorities, by the officer commanding the blockading force. The local authorities will in turn inform the foreign consular officers at the port or on the coast-line under blockade as soon as possible.