SECTION XXIV

93. _Revictualling of a Fortress._

During a war between states A and B, a general armistice is concluded

for thirty days, without any detailed stipulations. The commander of a

besieged fortress claims the right of re-victualling, but the commander

of the besieging forces refuses this. The besieged commander considers

this refusal a violation of the armistice and threatens to denounce it

unless the besieging commander complies with his request.

94. _Dutch Reprisals._

In consequence of the dispute which had arisen between Holland and

Venezuela in 1908--see the case of the Expulsion of M. de Reus, above

p. 85--the Dutch government sent some cruisers into Venezuelan waters

with the intention of resorting to reprisals. Accordingly the Dutch

cruiser _Gelderland_ captured on Saturday, Dec. 12th, 1908, the

Venezuelan coastguard ship _Alexis_ outside Puerto Cabello. The captain

of the _Alexis_ was put ashore at Puerto Cabello, and he forwarded to

his government at Caracas the following communication handed to him by

the officer of the _Gelderland_ who boarded his vessel:

"_December 12._

"Her Majesty the Queen of Holland has given orders to her warships

temporarily to sequestrate and place an embargo upon all vessels of the

Venezuelan Government. This is a retaliatory measure. We demand that

you lower your flag and surrender your ship and your persons to the

commander of the _Gelderland_. All resistance will be useless. If you

resist the result will be the loss of your vessel and the death of many

of you.

"SECOND LIEUTENANT BOINAR."

95. _Birth on the High Seas._

An Englishwoman gives birth to an illegitimate child on board a German

liner while on the high seas on a voyage to New York. The child's

father is German. What is the nationality of the child?

96. _A High-handed Action._

On the 15th of March, 1804, Napoleon, though at peace with Baden, sent

a body of troops into the territory of this state for the purpose of

surprising the castle of Ettenheim and of carrying off the Duke of

Enghien. The Duke was brought to the castle of Vincennes, near Paris,

and the same night was tried by court martial on the charge of high

treason for having borne arms against France. He was convicted, and was

shot on the following morning.

International Incidents for Discussion in Conversation Classes · 第 24 / 25 章