El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-19
ENGLAHDFEAR5
OFFENCE MAYBE
GWEN THE j. s.
Recognizes This Country
Has the Right to Ship to
Neutral Countries.
WARNING GIVEN
TO USE CAUTION

7 ONDON. Eng, Sept 19.-Grave
warning against the danger Of be-
coming embroiled with the United
States and other neutral nations are
being given TO the British government
by writers in the public press here.
The lesson OF 1919 must be remem-
bered. it is declared, and no possible
cause for faultfinding be allowed to
arise.
The right OF the United States to
ship various stores TO the neutral coun-
try OF Holland is a danger point be-
cause OF the impossibility Of assuring
the allies that these importations viii
not eventually find their way across
the frontiers Of Germany.
1T must be a guiding principle Of the
British government in this war so to
direct its naval policy that we may not
become embroiled with any neutral
power" says the publicist-
IN nearly every war OF the 18th and
18th centuries we incurred this dan
ger. and in some cases. as in 1904 and
1912, war resulted. The only really
powerful neutral OF the present time is
the United States, and II there is wise
statesmanship. we shall remain in per-
rect amity with that power and also
with the Netherlands, which possess
heart OF Germany.
Has Right to Send CarEoes.
~ must not be overlooked that the
possesses the right to send csrEosq ~
E.ollerdam or any other Dutch part
she still exercises this right. ana We
must be prepared to see neutral Amer
-
neutral ports OF Holland Many cues
IONS are Hkely to arise with regard 10
ne EXCLUSION Of absolute and coudf-
llonal eontraband-that is, OF things to
- =. ussa oy the German naval and mil
llaEy FORCES. or that may be so used
. II mas been the British practice in
me past TO regard as liable to capt1ra
any contraband cargoes Concerning
= -iI '-I. ~ co1La os proved that they had
an ullerlor hostile destination.
The character Of a cargo can only
De determined by exercising the right
OF search and resistance TO that -rfehJ
49,. 1LoSes lne neutral vessel TO bellig-
eEent consequences, including the risk
OF oelng sunk on the spot The United
. states nave strongly resisted the right
OF search, and IL was the chief cause az
the outbreak OF the war OF 1872
We are therefore to think OF an
American grain snip approaching the
port OF Rotterdam. and Of the officer
commanding some cruiser exercising
uon. II there Is presumption that the
grain IS cOnrraband- The coolest judy
ment VIII require TO be exercised il
disputes between the two countries are
70 be avoided We must take no ac-
ton capable Of being misunderstood
or mlsconstrued- 1t has been suggested
that food ships should be allowed TO
enter Dutch ports on the faith OF a
declaration that their cargoes are for
Dutch consumption. and not in transit
TO the enemy. Whether such a decla-
ration would suffice IL would be dif-
ficult to say Obviously there is Moth
ing TO prevent American shippers from
dispatching grain, even il purchased in
Canada, 10 Dutch ports.
Must Use Judgment.
1T Is FOR Us to determine, and that
speedily, how we shall deal with such
cargoes- The taking Of decisions which
may affect the good understanding be-
tween nations and perhaps even in
vOlye them in war, must not be left TO
young officers who may have little
knowledge OF the gravity OF such
things"