Only on one occasion was a casual observation made with any bearing on this question, and it is characteristic that it should have been by a British naval officer of superior rank, who impartially declared: "Lorsqu'un navire de guerre se propose d'arreter et de visiter un vaisseau marchand, le commandant, avant de mettre une embarcation a la mer, fera tirer un coup de canon.

Le coup de canon est la meilleure garantie que l'on puisse donner.

_Les navires de commerce n'ont pas de canons a bord._" (When a warship intends to stop and board a merchant vessel the commander, before sending a boat, will fire a gun.

The firing of a gun is the best guarantee that can be given.

_Merchant vessels do not carry guns._) Nevertheless, Austria-Hungary has in this regard also held by its assurance; in the circular verbal note referred to neutrals were cautioned beforehand against entrusting their persons or their goods on board any armed ship; moreover, the measures announced were not put into execution at once, but a delay was granted in order to enable neutrals already on board armed ships to leave the same.