Page:Handbook of maritime rights.djvu/120



have seen that the United States offered to adhere to the Declaration of Paris "en bloc" provided the immunity of all private property at sea was added as a fifth rule. This proposal has met with many advocates in England. Their argument is this: the principles of the Declaration of Paris, as it stands, are demonstrably fatal to the naval superiority, to the carrying trade, and the mercantile marine of this country; England is the great carrier of the world, and it is in her capacity as a carrying nation that she would be utterly stricken in a war. Exempt mercantile