d, at the end of August, 1870. A Proclamation was then
issued by General Trochu which enjoined 'every person not a naturalised
Frenchman and belonging to one of the countries at war with France' to
depart within three days, under penalty of arrest and trial in the event
of disobedience. The incident is instructive as showing usage [viz.,
non-interference with resident enemy nationals] in the making; for
though there were 35,000 in Paris alone, and their expulsion was clearly
justifiable as a measure of defence, the general opinion in Europe was
that they were harshly treated, and a sum of 100 million francs was
claimed, as part of the war indemnity, in respect of the losses they
sustained in being driven out. It shows, as Hall observed, that public
opinion 'was already ripe for the establishment of a distinct rule
allowing such persons to remain during good behaviour' (_Hall,
International Law_, p. 392). The usage has been strengthened by the
precedents set in the Russo-Turkish War in 1877-8, the Chino-Japanese
War of 1894, and the Russo-Japanese War, in all of which enemy residents
were suffered to remain."
ORIGIN OF GENERAL INTERNMENT.
How did it come about that this more humane usage was in the present war
departed from? The average Englishman, I fear, assumes that all the
blame is in this case due to the enemy. The following correspondence
should make the matter clearer. [See Miscel. Nos. 7, 8 (1915).]
_Memorandum communicated by American Embassy,_
October 17, 1914.
The American Embassy has the honour to submit the following copy
of a telegram which has just been received from the Secretary of
State at Washington relating to civilian prisoners in the United
Kingdom and Germany:
There are a very few English civilians in Germany who have been
placed in prison or in prison camps--about 300. The German
Government is informed that a great number of German civilian
prisoners--over 6,000--are in prison camps in England.
Department is requested by Ambassador, Berlin, to suggest that
liberty, so far as possible, be allowed alien enemies detained
by war.
_Mr. Page, United States Ambassador in London, to
Sir Edward Grey._ (Received Oct. 31.)
American Embassy, London,
October 30, 1914.
Sir,--I have the honour to transmit herewith enclosed the
attached copy of an open telegram I h
|