Evening star., 1914-12-29

right or search, but cannot dlvert
neutral ship to a beIligerent port for
further examination unless proof is
shown at the time of detention OF q
hostile destination Of the cargo.
Contraband Attitude.
One of the most far-reaching points
in the note is the attitude taken on abb
solute and conditional contraband des-
tined to belligerent countries. The
American government argues that the
beIligerent must prove conditional con-
traband is destined for use by the ARMY
or navy Of its enemy. In view of this
position on conditional contraband
shipped directly to belligerents, the
American government insists that there
should be no interference with food
stuffs and products of the same class
consigned to neutral countries.
The communication is couched in a
friendly tone, setting forth that the
United States wishes to speak in terms
of frankness lest its silence be mtsin.
terpreted as an acquiescence in the
British policy. which. it says, is arous.
ing public feeling in this country or
every side. 1t refers to the cordial re-
lations existing between Great Britain
and the United States, but declares the
British policy with regard to neutral
commerce is held in many quarters ir
the United States as directly responsl-
BILE for the depression in American In
dustries.
A reply is not expected for several
days, as the note probably will be con-
sidered at length.
President Revised Phraseology.
Preparation of this protest was be-
gun a month ago by Solicitor Cone
johnson. Counsellor Robert Lansing
1,,ri rir,,
the last two weeks had the personal
attention of President Wilson himself
who revised its phraseology with mi
mute care.
Reference Is made In the note to the
actuated Great Britain in her cham
pionship in the past of the freedom Of
, the seas to neutral commerce, and the
hope is expressed that even though q
belligerent herself. she will realize
the seriousness to the neutral OF con-
tinued interference.
Reserving until some other date the
discussion of those articles which
Great Britain has taken from the gen.
orally accepted lists of non-contraban
and placed on the list of absolute aRd
conditional contraband, the American
government declares that the British
fleets have been regarding absolute
and conditional contraband as in the
same class, whereas international law
defines absolute contraband as consist
ing OF those articles intended directly
for the use of an army or navy, an6
conditional contraband those products
susceptible of use by armed forces, but
whose destination must be the deter
mining factor in detentions.
Quotes Lord Salisbury.
The American note mentioning here
that foodstuffs are conditional con.
trabrand. since they may be destined
for the use Of civil population as well
as an army, says the United States
ia in entire agreement with the doc
trine expressed by Lord Salisbury
British foreign secretary. In his cor
respondence with the Washington gov
ernment concerning the shipment OF
foodstuffs to the Transvaal during
the Boer war in South Africa. Lord
Salisbury wrote then:
"Foodstuffs, with a hostile destina-
war only II they are supplies for the
enemy's forces. 1t is not sufficient
that they are capable of being so used
IL must be shown that this was In
fact their destination at the time OF
This il perhaps the most far-reach-
ing declaration OF the American note.
since II 1t were accepted by Great
Britain, American trade with Germany
and Austria, virtually at standstill
now, would be resumed, affecting the
prices of wheat, flour. live stock and
the variety of products which go to
make up "foodstuffs"
The United States asserts that II
views with growing concern the deten-