War begins with the first act of hostility on the part of either country. The practice of sending heralds to make a declaration of war has long fallen into disuse, and no formal declaration of war, even, is required.

It is customary, however, for a country before attacking another to issue an "ultimatum" to such power, thus giving such power a last chance to redress the evils complained of.

"A proclamation of the blockade of Cuban ports preceded the declaration of war between Spain and the United States, in 1898. Similarly, hostilities were begun before the declaration of war between China and Japan in 1894. Indeed, few of the wars of the last two centuries have been declared before the outbreak of hostilities, and many have not been declared formally at all. Declaration at the present time is usually but a formal acknowledgment of a well-known fact. In the case of the war in South Africa, early in October, 1899, the government of the Transvaal requested the government of Great Gritain to give 'an immediate and affirmative answer,' not later than 5 P. M. on October 11th, to certain questions in the accompanying ultimatum as to settling differences by arbitration, the withdrawal of British troops, etc., stating that if the answer was not satisfactory, it would be regarded as 'a formal declaration of war.' The government of Great Britain replied that the conditions demanded were such that the government deemed it impossible to discuss them. Hostilities immediately followed."3