RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF NEUTRALS.
When intercourse between the countries of the world was small, owing to lack of facilities, the rights of neutrals were regarded as unimportant. But intercourse has increased so enormously, that no great war can be waged without interfering with the interests of almost all the rest of the world, and the rights of neutrals are assuming more importance in international law.
The great obligation resting upon neutrals is "to allow nothing to the belligerents which either would object to as being adverse to his interests."
What Neutrals may do.—The common instincts of humanity may be complied with. Thus a ship of war in distress may run into a neutral port. Soldiers running into neutral territory may be disarmed and then protected as non-combatants.
Things Contraband.—It is a breach of neutrality to lend money or furnish troops or munitions of war to a belligerent, or to allow ships of war to be built by citizens of the neutral power within its borders, if it knows (or should know) that they are to be armored and used in the service of one of the belligerents.
Citizens of Neutral States.—Members of a neutral state may lend money to a belligerent or may go into the army or navy of a belligerent without breach of the neutrality of their nation. They may sell goods, except materials of war, to either belligerent, Blockade.—A belligerent may, as a war measure, close the ports of the enemy. This is called a blockade. Two things are necessary to make a blockade valid—due notice must be given, and the blockade must be made effective by placing before the ports armed vessels to prevent the entrance of trading vessels. If the conditions have been complied with, neutrals trade with the port at the risk of losing all captured ships and cargoes.