The articles enumerated--e.g.

arms, ammunition, marine engines, &c .-- are, neither in the Act of 1853 nor in the Order in Council of the following year, described as "contraband of war." I am, Sir, your obedient servant, T.E.HOLLAND.
Oxford, March 5 (1904).
COAL FOR THE RUSSIAN FLEET Sir,--The use of coal for belligerent purposes is, of course, of comparatively modern date, and it is hardly surprising to find that the mercantile community, as would appear from your marine insurance article of this morning, does not clearly distinguish between the different classes of questions to which such use may give rise.

There is indeed a widely prevalent confusion, even in quarters which ought to be better informed, between two topics which it is essential to keep separate--viz.

the shipment of contraband, and the use of neutral territory as a base for belligerent operations.
A neutral Government (our own at the present moment) occupies a very different position with reference to these two classes of acts.

With reference to the former, its international duty (as also its national policy) is merely one of acquiescence.