Evening star., 1914-12-29
~ ~ AND M @ VET %M m % Of ~ " VIEW ~
v<wTVM.v :

consigned from this country to neutral
ports, contending that it should be the
duty of the belligerent to protect
neutral commerce and prevent inno-
cent merchants from suffering.
Cites Copper Treatment.
One of the most conspicuous COM
the treatment by Great Britain of
American cargoes of copper. 1t is
charged that Great Britain Is not ac-
cording 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 shipment. Even though the Italian
government has proclaimed an EN-.
from Italy to belligerent countries
similar to the embargo 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 Scandinavian
countries are not molested.
The American government further
records its position on consignments
shipped "to order" or no specific con-
signee. stating that this circumstance
alone is not sufficient on which to
hold American cargoes ana is of it
self not suspicious. This view has been
United States, but Great Britain an
nounced recently that cargoes shipped
to order would be considered "sus-
pect."
"To Order" Contention.
The protest points out that to hold
consignments marked ito order" proof
must be presented when the detention
or seizure Is made showing that q
hostile destination Is intended, or else
| a sufficient number of other facts mus1
be advanced to justify further exami.
nation of the cargo.
Although the sending Of the note
was not known to members OF the
diplomatic corps last night, and 1t IL
unlikely that the Washington govern.
ment will communicate 1t to them, with
the exception of the British ambassa.
dor. unless they request 1t. high ofa.
path marked by the United States
would be followed by other neutra
governments. South American nation,
especially have been keeping in Gloss
touch with the attitude of the United
States ON subjects, of neutrality. anG
In most cases have adhered to the
American position. AS the note in.
wolves commerce mostly with European
representatives here of the latter will
transmit the American viewpoint K
their governments.
The position of the United States. a.
expressed in the protest. is a conse.
| quence Of several steps by Great
Britain, France and Germany on the
subject of contraband.
Maritime Warfare Laws.
Although the declaration Of London
drafted in 1909. embodying the pre-
vious understandings OF international
law and new rules for the conduct OF
maritime warfare with respect to neu-
trail commerce hadnot been ratified
when the present war broke out, 1t was
thought for a time all countries would
adhere to it, Great Britain by an or.
der In council. August 20 last. declared
the declaration Of London effective
with certain notifications. Germanuy
announced to all neutrals her willing
ness to adhere to the whole declaration
if the other belligerents would.
The United States took the position
that 1t could not accept ptecemeal
adoption by the allies Of the declara-
tion of London, with their own amend~
ments, and declared that 1t would be
guided by the general practices OF IN
ternational law, irrespective OF the
declaration of London.
The German government In formaI
note to the United States and other
neutrals then voiced its ob5etcion 10
the British notifications which SINH
larly the United States opposed
The present note follows in many Inn
portant points the argument tnen ao-
tice with respect to neutral COM
merce was Q distinct departure from
many previously accepted principles
of international law.