the sinking of gunboats by the Germans had been explained as
rendered necessary by their unseaworthiness.

4. Pacific reprisals should also, according to the tendency of modern
opinion and practice, be so applied as not to interfere with the
interests of third Powers and their subjects. This point has been
especially discussed with reference to that species of reprisal known as
a "pacific blockade," of which some mention has been made in the present
controversy. The legitimacy of this operation, though dating only from
1827, if properly applied, is open to no question. Its earlier
applications were, no doubt, unduly harsh, not only towards the peccant
State, but also towards third States, the ships of which were even
confiscated for attempting to break a blockade of this nature. Two views
on this subject are now entertained--viz. (1) that the ships of third
Powers breaking a pacific blockade may be turned back with any needful
exertion of force, and, if need be, temporarily detained; (2) that they
may not be interfered with. The former view is apparently that of the
German Government. It was certainly maintained by M. Perels, then as now
the adviser to the German Admiralty, during the discussion of the
subject by the Institut de Droit International at Heidelberg in 1887.
The latter view is that which was adopted by the Institut on that
occasion. It was maintained by Great Britain, with reference to the
French blockade of Formosa in 1884; was acted on by the allied Powers in
the blockade of the coast of Greece, instituted in 1886; and is
apparently put forward by the United States at the present moment.

5. If, however, we are at war with Venezuela (as will, no doubt, be the
case if we proclaim a belligerent blockade of the coast, and may at any
moment occur, should Venezuela choose to treat our acts, even if
intended only by way of reprisals, as acts of war), the situation is
changed in two respects: (1) the hostilities which may be carried on by
the allies are no longer localised, or otherwise limited, except by the
dictates of humanity; (2) third States become _ipso facto_ "neutrals,"
and, as such, subject to obligations to which up to that moment they had
not been liable. Whatever may have previously been the case, it is
thenceforth certain that their merchant vessels must respect the (now
belligerent) blockade, and are liable to visit, search, seizure, and
confiscation if they attempt to break it.

6. If hostile p