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The Ansaldo San Giorgio I v. Rheinstrom Brothers Co., 1934, is a U.S Supreme Court case that revolved around the issue of maritime law and international commerce. The Italian company, Ansaldo San Giorgio I, had sold goods to an American firm, Rheinstrom Brothers Company. However, before the goods were shipped from Italy to America on board a German vessel named "Wigbert," war broke out between Germany and Italy during World War II which resulted in the seizure of the ship by Italian authorities along with its cargo including those owned by Rheinstrom Brothers Co. The question before court was whether or not this constituted a breach of contract under international commercial law as it prevented delivery of goods due to circumstances beyond control (force majeure). The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ansaldo stating that they could not be held liable for non-delivery since it was caused by unforeseeable events such as war.
The dissenting opinion in the case of Ansaldo San Giorgio I v. Rheinstrom Brothers Co., 1934, argued that the majority's decision to deny jurisdiction was incorrect. The dissenting justices believed that there were sufficient grounds for federal jurisdiction under diversity citizenship rules because the parties involved were from different states and countries. They also disagreed with the majority's interpretation of "doing business," arguing that it should be broadly interpreted to include any significant commercial activity, not just a physical presence or permanent establishment within a state. Furthermore, they contended that by denying jurisdiction, the court was effectively allowing foreign corporations to evade U.S legal obligations and protections afforded to domestic companies.