CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Foreign Enlistment Acts of England and America. By "Vigilans." (Saunders, (Alen and Co.)—It is not merely because he is no lawyer and misapplies every precedent he quotes that the writer of this. pamphlet is open to criticism. He can see no difference between the proposition that "to equip a ship in this country is not per se unlaw- ful," and the proposition thit "to equip a ship in this country for a belligerent is unlawful." Of course, therefore, he has not a glimmering, of the point which is now at issue. It is admitted on all hands that to execute a contract to equip a ship for a belligerent with an equipment per se warlike is forbidden by the statute. The question which remains is—Is it forbidden to execute a contract to equip a ship for a belligerent with an equipment which is merely capable of being used for warlike purposes? But " Vigilans" still seems to be under the delusion that there is no distinction between equipping and arming a vessel for a belligerent, and equipping and arming a vessel on speculation, and then selling her to the highest bidder, belligerent or not. His argument, if it may be so called, is altogether beside the point.
Previous page
