An Order in Council was published on Tuesday declaring that
Article 57 of the Declaration of London shall no longer be put in force. This is a wise and necessary step. Article 57 made-the flag flown by a vessel for all intents and purposes the sole evidence of the nationality of the owners. It was a reversal of the traditional law and custom of both Britain and the United States. Protected by the Article, Germany has naturally engaged in a good deal of trade during the war by means of using neutral flags. The old doctrine, which is now restored, requires proof of the actual nationality of the owners. Even a partial enemy interest in an otherwise neutral- owned ship can be condemned. It is only to be expected that some British interests under neutral flags may suffer from German retaliation. But this disadvantage cannot be com- pared with the advantages of restoring a doctrine which should never have been abandoned.
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