The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-20
WRITERS Scent
DANGER At SEA
Britain Told to Be Very Care
full 1t Does Not Arouse
Anger of u. S.
MAY EVADE THIS BY CARE
Cargoes Should Be Decided Upon by
Older Officers. Not Young. Says
One Paper.

London. Sept. 1s.-Gravs warning
against the danger of becoming embroflsd
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 1s12 must be
remembered. it is declared. and no pos
sihIe cause for fauIt-inding be allowed
to arise.
The right OF the United States to ship
various stores 10 the neutral country OF
Holland is a danger point because OF
the impossibiiity Of assuring the allies
that these importations will not eventu-
ally find their way across the frontiers
TO Germany.
1T must be a guiding principal Of the
British government in this war so to
direct its naval policy that We may not
become embroiled with any neutral pow
err says one publicist.
U. 5. Is Only Powerful Neutral.
In nearly every war of TIE eighteenth
| and nineteenth centuries We incurred
this danger. and in some cases, as IN
1854 and 1872. war resulted. The only
really powerful neutral OF the present
! time IL the United States. and If there
| IL wise craftsmanship We shall remain
| in perfect amity with that power. and
| also with the Netherlands. which pos
sessss the great gateway opening to
| the heart of Germany.
1t must not be overlooked that
i the United States being a neural power.
possesses the right to send cargoes to
Rotterdam or any other Dutch port She
| will exercise this right. and We must
| be prepared to see neutral American yes
| sells dischar=.nG cargo in the neutral
| ports Of Holland" Many questions are
| likely to arise with regard to the ex-
! clusion Of absolute and conditional con-
] traband-that is. OF things to be used BY
| the German naval and military forces.
or what may be so used.
| 1t has been the British practice in
the past TO regard as liable 10 caFtSre
| any cOntraband cargoes concerning
which it could be proved that they had
an Interior hostile destination.
older omcer. should Decide.
The character Of a cargo can only
be determined by exercising the right
| OF search. and resistance to that right
| excuses the neutral vessel to belligerent
| consequences. including the risk of being
sunk on the spot. The United States
has strongly resisted the right of
| search. and it was the chief cause Of
| the outbreak of the war Of 49,
American grain ship approaching the
! PORT Of Rotterdam. and Of the Oficer
| commanding some cruiser exercising the
| right of search and also Of detention II
| there is presumption that the grain is
cOntraband The coolest judgment will
require 10 be exercised If disputes be-
tween the two countries are TO be avoid
ed. We must take no step capable Of
being misunderstood or miscOnstrued.
Il 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 declaration would sufice. II would
be dificult to say. Obviously there is
| nothing to prevent American shippers
| from dispatching grain, even II pur-
| chased in Canada, to Dutch ports.
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 involve
| them in war. must not be left to Young
| officers who may have little knowledge
/ Of the gravity OF such things