International Law. A Treatise. Volume 2 (of 2): War and Neutrality. Second EditionOppenheim, L. (Lassa)
History
International Law. A Treatise. Volume 2 (of 2): War and Neutrality. Second Edition
Oppenheim, L. (Lassa)
International law
The Second Peace Conference embodied the previous usage concerning
immunity of vessels of discovery and exploration in a written rule and
extended the immunity to vessels with a religious or philanthropic
mission, for article 4 of Convention XI. enacts that vessels charged
with religious, scientific, or philanthropic missions are exempt from
capture.
It must be specially observed that it matters not whether the vessel
concerned is a private or a public vessel.[368]
[Footnote 368: See U.S. Naval War Code, article 13. The matter is
discussed at some length by Kleen, II. § 210, pp. 503-505. Concerning
the case of the English explorer Flinders, who sailed with the vessel
_Investigator_ from England, but exchanged her for the _Cumberland_,
which was seized in 1803 by the French at Port Louis, in Mauritius, as
she was not the vessel to which a safe-conduct was given, see Lawrence,
§ 185.]
[Sidenote: Immunity of Fishing-boats and small boats employed in local
Trade.]
§ 187. Coast fishing-boats, in contradistinction to boats engaged in
deep-sea fisheries, were, according to a general, but not universal,
custom in existence during the nineteenth century, granted immunity from
attack and seizure so long and in so far as they were unarmed and were
innocently employed in catching and bringing in fish.[369] As early as
the sixteenth century treaties were concluded between single States
stipulating such immunity to each other's fishing-boats for the time of
war. But throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries there were
instances of a contrary practice, and Lord Stowell refused[370] to
recognise in strict law any such exemption, although he recognised a
rule of comity to that extent. Great Britain has always taken the
standpoint that any immunity granted by her to fishing-boats was a
relaxation[371] of strict right in the interest of humanity, but
revocable at any moment, and that her cruisers were justified in seizing
enemy fishing-boats unless prevented therefrom by special instructions
on the part of the Admiralty.[372] But at the Second Peace Conference
she altered her attitude, and agreed to the immunity not only of fishing
vessels, but also of small boats employed in local trade. Article 3 of
Convention XI. enacts, therefore, that vessels employed exclusively in
coast fisheries, and small boats employed in local trade, are, together
with appliances, rigging, tackle, and cargo, exempt from capture.
[Footnote 369: The _Paquette Habana_ (1899), 175, United States, 677.
See U.S. Naval War Code, article 14; Japanese Prize Law, article 3 (1).]
[Footnote 370: The _Young Jacob and Joanna_ (1798), 1 C. Rob, 20.]
[Footnote 371: See Hall, § 148.]
[Footnote 372: See Holland, _Prize Law_, § 36.]
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