PREFACE. The discussions upon international law during the year 1916 were conducted by George Grafton Wilson, LL. D., professor of international law in Harvard University. Matters relating to the war which has been going on since July, 1914, were under consideration. Final opinions can not be offered at the present time, and for this reason the War College contents itself in the main with statements of facts concerning which there is no dispute, and with copies of official documents. It is hoped that the present volume will be of considerable value in the future, as a work of reference, not only for officers of the Navy, but for others who may be engaged in the study of international law as affected by the history of the unprecedented crisis through which the world is now passing. The documents particularly referred to in the discussions are printed with brief notes. Some of these documents are accessible in the publications of the Government of the United States. Others are not easily accessible. Many of the documents in this volume are translated from foreign languages. In such cases the language of issue of the documents is in most cases the only official text. Modifications in regulations will doubtless be made from time to time as conditions change, but those printed in this volume will serve as convenient bases for comparison and subsequent discussion. For convenience of reference the neutrality proclamations of the United States, printed in the volume of 1915, are reprinted in this volume, and the index is made unusually complete. As in previous years the Naval War College desires to receive such questions as officers deem worthy of consideration, and for such questions the documents herewith published may furnish many suggestions. AUSTIN M. KNIGHT, Rear Admiral, United States Navy, DECEMBER 15, 1916. 3 |