Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-22
ISSUE WITH NORWAY
Diplomatic Clash Over the
Blockade of BIuefieldS.
Is DECLARED INEFFECTIVE
United States Will Not Recognize
Stoppage of Trade.
VICE CONSUL GIVEN BLAME
Norway Declared to Have Been
Misled as to Conditions at
Nicaraguan Port.

Crossing swords automatically with the
Norwegian government, the State Depart
ment today replied to the New Orleans
commercial interests which had protested
against the Norwegian recognition Of the
blockade Of Bluefields, by declaring that
Nicaraguan town to be an open port. 1t
was said that Norway had been misin-
formed of conditions at Bluefields.
Norway's alleged misunderstanding Of
the situation Is laid by the State Depart
consular representative of Norway at
Blueflelds, and until yesterday vice con-
sui Of the United State; at I same port
Acting Secretary Wilson today announced
that Clancey's resignation as vice concul
had been accepted, his service in the
dual capacity being against the law.
Protect American Cargoes.
No new position is announced by the
government, but the State Departments
action is taken as an indication that the
United States will protect American car
goes entering Blueiields, whether carried
under the flag of the United States OF
any other nation. Secretary Wilson de-
clined to state definitely what the course
of the United States would be or to COM
ment upon what effect the reply might
have upon the diplomatic relations be-
tween the country and Norway.
For days the shipment of supplies to
Bluefields and Of cargoes of fruit from
that port to the United States has been
suspended, because the only ships avail
able for the purpose carried the Nor
a
leave New Orleans for Bluefields because
of the notification of the Norwegian gov
eminent that 1t recognized the blockade.
The lack of supplies threatened to ham
per seriously the commercial interests,
and was said to jeopardize the cause
of the Estrada forces.
Official Statement Given Out.
An official statement was issued at
the State Department in regard to it's at
titude toward the alleged blockade of
Bluefelds. A copy of 1t was handed to
Mr.. Morgenstierne, charge of the Nor
wegian legation, who called at the de-
partment for the purpose. IT follows:
The Bluefields Steamship Company, as
charterer Of Norwegian steamers carry
ing American goods, and seven American
firms as shippers have represented that
the Norwegian government has given
instructions to Norwegian consuls with
the result that agents and captains have
Deen notified by Norwegian consular off,
GERS that the government of Norway has
been informed of the closing of the port
Of Bluefields, in Nicaragua, which is In
the territory under the de facto control
of the Estrada faction, by authority of
orders made by the Madriz faction last
October, and on May III. and that such
agents and captains have been warned
that the Norwegian government cannot
protect them from any consequences
which NAV follow in disregard of such
that this situation means the Gripping
of very important commercial and other
American interests on these coasts.
Blockade Not Effective.
"Official reports just received from
Bluefields seem to indicate that the re-
ported action of Norway may have been
based upon erroneous information. In
the first place it Is now we'll settled and
recognized principle of International law
that ports in the possession OF hostile
forces cannot be closed to foreign oom-
merce by mere executive DEGREES of clos
ure unless such DEGREES are followed and
supported by effective blockades Of the
ports so closed. 1t would, therefore. seem
that the reported Madriz DEGREES of Octo-
Der 13 and May 16, closing the port of
Bluehelds. are. in the absence OF effective
blockade at that port. devoid of effect or
influence upon neutral commerce. In the
second place it would appear that even
should a foreign government recognize
the right of blockade by a ship of the
character of the Venus, nevertheless as it
Is notorious that the Venus has. since her
appearance at that port. been absent from
Bluefields for long periods. on which oc-
casions she is reported to have violated
the rules of international law by bonn