NEUTRALITY

In International Law, the condition of a state which does not take part in a war between other I neutral nation has the right of furnishing to cither of the contending parties all supplies which do not fall within the description of contraband of war (see Contraband or War), and to conclude treaties with either unconnected with the subject of the war. It appears to have been the old principle with regard to the maritime trade of a neutral nation, that the property of an owner belonging to the hos tile country might be seized by a belligerent on board a neutral [lower's ve el: but the general rule now a erted is that the flag covers the cargo; by which means the right of search, except for specific purposes, is rendered unnece ary. But this rule is in effect set asiile, according to the will ities of the most powerful belligerent, as it was during the late wars between England and the Continental powers.\i:i'THAI.I7. [s. 841]