The Washington herald., 1914-11-02

ard OIL ship bound for Denmark, now
detained at a Scottish port, the British
| are not satisfied with the attitude Of Den
mark The Danish government, It is I'M
derstood, refuses to give specific guar
antees that the cargo on the Platuria
win not be reshipped to Klel This re-
| fusal by Denmark has excited the sus-
picions of Great Britain. and the present
| prospect is that the Platuria will be de-
tanned further.
The United States has already taken
up the case, and suggested that the Pla-
turia should either be released or sent be-
fore a prize court for trial on whatever
evidence the British have obtained. Sim
ilarly. the British charge that Genoa has
been a backdoor depot OF supplies for
Germany, and hence look with suspicion
bound for Naples.
May Contest British Right.
The State Department. It is understood.
will particularly resist any attempt by
Great Britain to make the freedom Of
American shipping dependent upon the
attitude Of the neutral governments with
respect to re-exportation OF contraband.
While neither admitting nor denying the
right Of Great Britain to interfere. with
shipments OF contraband to neutral coun-
tries, the State Department will not ad-
init any right to make such interferences
rest on the basis of British arrangements
with third parties. Interferences will
have to be justified on the wounds Of in
ternational law and precedent with re-
gard to contraband OF war and the rights
of belligerent with respect to neutral
trade.
The British must, therefore. produce
evidence OF an actual belIigerent destina-
tion of such shipments as that on the
Kroonland. It Is believed that consign-
ment Ito ORDER" as in the case OF the
Kroonland's cargo, will be offered by
Great Britain as evidence indicating that
Naples was to be merely a point in the
voyage Of the cargo, and not the ultimate
destination.
1t has already been declared by Great
Britain that shipments OF contraband ito
order will be viewed with suspicion un-
til positive evidence of a genuinely
neutral destination is produced.
Await Courts DecIsion.
There will be no action by the State
Department In the case of the Kroon-
land prior to the decision Of the prize
court. This government has reached the
conclusion that 1t will enter no general
bill OF complaint against the policy OF
Great Britain, but will meet each case
as Il arises, both with regard to seizures,
and also with respect to the new list
of contraband. which contains many
things objectionable to the United States.
Unfavorable decisions by prize courts
will be the basis Of the discussions like
ly to take place.
1t Is expected that one of the features
of the British arguments in defense Of
the radical positions II Is taking with
regard to contraband and shipments to
neutral countries adjoining Germany viii
be the claim that the changed condi-
tons Of war compel her wide departures
from precedent. The British also ex-
pect much from the knowledge that the
United States government must bear in
mind that some day IL may itself be at
war. and in the present position Of Great
Britain Consequently, 1t cannot demand
of Great Britain more than II would be
willing 20 give were the United States
engaged in maritime warfare under mod
srn conditions