Definition of Contraband Of War

Certain classes of merchandise, such as arms and ammunition, which, by the rules of international law, cannot lawfully be furnished or carried by a neutral nation to either of two belligerents; if found in transit in neutral vessels, such goods may be seized and condemned for violation of neutrality. The Pet-erboff, 5 Wall. 58, 18 In Ed. 564 ; Richardson v. Insurance Co., 6 Mass. 114, 4 Am. Dec. 92. A recent American author on international law says that, "by the term 'contraband of war,' we now understand a class of articles of commerce which neutrals are prohibited from furnishing to either'one of the belligerents, for the reason that, by so doing, injury is done to the other belligerent;" and he treats of the subject, chiefly, in its relation to commerce upon the high seas. Hall, Int. Law, 570, 602; Elrod . Alexander, 4 Heisk. (Tenn.) 345.