The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-24
ALLIES VIOLATING
 DECLARATION OF
 LONDON IS CHARGE
Germany Issues Protest Against England's Atti- tude on War Contra
 band

Washington, November 23.--Charges hy Germany that England and Frnnce nvc violating tho declaration of Lon- do,,. previously presented to Ambnssa- der Gerard and representatives of oth- CT neutraIs at Berlin, were published today from the embassy here. The ps- per says Germany thus far has ob- served the declaration of London and has not changed its attitude despite "fIagrant violations committed by its adv ersaries," and adds:
 However, the imperial German gov ernment now must study the question whether 1t can continue to maintain the above attitude, if the enemys powers abide by the procedure observed by them and if the neutral powers allow such vio- lations to go on.
 ''The German government considers it, therefore, of interest to learn which po- sition the neutral powers intend to take toward the attitude adopted by Great Britain and France contrary to interna- tional law, and particularly whether 1t is their intention to take measures against the acts of violence committed on board their merchant vessels against German subjects and German property"
 Obliterate Declaration
 The German note declares additions and notifications Great Britain has made to the declaration of London, ''are of such a nature that they obliterate the said declaration in several vital points and at the same time encroach on the &C., cepted rules of International law"
 .'The most vital notifications are con tained," it says. fin the rule concerning conditional rcontraband."
 Under the declaration of London, it adds, there can be no question of conditional contraband except where cargo is des- tined for use of the administrative de- partments or military force of the hostile power,' nor can the question arise whether goods are conditional con- traband or not, when the vessel is sailing for a neutral port" Further it charges Great Britain made the rule of continuous voyage applicable only in the case of absolute contraband, applicable also with regard to conditional contra band, in contravention of the declaration of London. Thus, it declares, ''condi- tional contraband IS virtually on the same footing as absolute contraband''
 ..In consequence," it continues, "the supply by neutrals of objects of condi- tional contraband, especially of food stuffs destined only for the consumptloq of the inhabitants of belligerent. which is universally considered legitimate in in ternational law. is practically rendered illusory, whereby the interests of the bel ligerents as we'll as of the neutrals are violated in manner contrary to the law of nations. As events at the theatres of naval warfare prove, England proceeds in this respect in the most high handed man. ner. even enforcing control over sup plies destined for the countries adjacent to Germany and thereby endangering their victualing.
 International Law Broken .Great Britain, it is charged. has de- clared rubber, hides and skins as well al va rious kinds of iron ore conditional con 1 Ira aband. although these articles are not ] suitable for purposes of warfare and were, | Therefore. placed in the free list of the 1 declaration. In this manner the uni yersally accepted principle of international 1 law that neutral trade with objects TOT 1 exclusively peaceful use must not pc us l turbed by the belligerents, is wantoniy ses 1 aside"
 1 Germany objects to the British claim of I right to seize vessel during it's entire 1 voyage, if carriage of contraband has l taken place under false shipping direc- tions," declaring that neutral shipping is | thus "exposed to constant chicane Further. Germany complains that under l the British order fin council "the right ol