El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-29
]. 8. SENDSN0TE
WARNING BRITAIN
Strong Statement Insists on
Prompt Improvement Of
Trade Conditions.
Continued From Page One)


Since France has adopted practically
the same DEGREES on contraband as has
Great Britain, Mondays note is Vir-
tUally statement intended for all the
members Of the triple entente.
REIMBURSEMENT alone for cargoes I'M
does not remedy the evil, as the chief
difficulty is the moral effect of British
practice on American exporters, who
are restrained by it from taking risks
or hazards winch IN no case ought to
surround legitimate trade between the
United States and other neutral coun-
tries.
No Improvement Apparent.
The United States it points out, was
patient at first, realizing that the I'M
expected outbreak of hostilities had
heaped a mass Of burdens on the Brit
ish government and thinking an early
clearing Of the air would come. Five
months have now elapsed, the note as
serts, with no Improvement in the
situation.
In the meantime, American shippers
have aVailed themselves Of various
suggestions from the British govern
ment, such as shipping eargoes to def
nitely named consignees in neutral
countries, and the taking out Of certifi-
Gates from cOnsuls in this country,
which followed promises of the British
foreign office that the allied fleets con-
sequently would cease detentions Of
SITUATION, T,
is described as hardly improved after
these concessions.
Reference is made in the note TO the
high principles of equity which have
actuated Great Britain in her cham
pionshfp in the past Of the freedom Of
the seas to neutral commerce and the
hope is expressed that even though a
belligerent herself, she will realize the
seriousness to the neutral nations of
continued interference.
The American government declares
that the British fleets have been re-
garding absolute and condition. contra
band as in the same class, whereas in
ternational law defines absolute con-
traband as consisting of those articles
intended directly for the use of an army
or navy, and conditional contraband,
those products susceptible of use by
armed forces but whose destination
must be the determining factor in de-
tentiOns.
UphOIds salssBury's Ruling.
The American note, mentioning that
fOOdstuffs are conditional contraband
since they may be destined for the use
of a civil population as well as an
army, says the United States is in en-
tire agreement with the doctrine eX-
pressed by lord Salisbury, British for
eign secretary, in his correspondence
with the Washington government con-
corning the shipment Of fOodstuffs to
the Transvaal during the BOer war in
South Africa. Lord Salisbury wrote
then:
"Foodstuffs with a hostile destina-
ton can be considered contraband of /
war only if they are supplies for the
enemy's forces. 1t is not sufficient that |
they are capable Of being so used; it |
must be shown that this was in fact
their destination at the time OF seizure"
Can't Tolerate OBTAINING Ships.
Taking up the subject of detention OF |
sFranrT m# hi
government states that it cannot toll
crate undue delays in examining them I
or the conveying Of such ships to Brit |
ish ports for detailed examination It ar
CUES that proof Of hostile destination !
OF the cargo must be evidence at the |
time of search at sea The belligerent |
rights of search, the note adds, is fully /
recognized but it cannot be extended to /
the points Of diverting American ships |
into belligerent- ports merely on sus- !
picion.
The United States asserts that It |
views with growing concern the deten- |
ton of scores of American cargoes con-
signed from this country to neutral |
ports. cOntending that it should be the |
duty OF the bell1gerent to protect neu- |
tral commerce and prevent innocent !
merchants from suffering.
AIOlestinE Copper Shipment.
One of the complaints cited in the !
note is against the treatment by Great ]
Britain Of American cargoes OF copper.
It is charged that Great Britain is not |
according the same treatment to.Ameri- |
can trade in copper with the Scandi- |
navian countries as to commerce in this |
product between the United States and |
Italy under the same conditions Of ship I
ment Even though the italian govern |
ment has proclaimed an embargo on the |
expectation of copper from Italy to bel !
countries, similar, to the en-. |
barge in force in Norway, Denmark and |
Sweden, the consignments Of copper to |
Italy from the United States are said |
to be held up, while those to the Scan /
countries are not molested.