Evening star., 1915-11-08
America Warning to Great Britain

After a series of diplomatic inter-
changes covering several months
the United States has finally told
Great Britain in the plainest terms,
in the note Just sent to London, that
it regards the blockade of Germany
created by order in council as illegal
and that it refuses to submit to that
blockade. This is in line with the
American contention from the be-
ginning of the war
In briei. the American contention is
that the British blockade has never
been legally declared and proclaimed,
and furthermore that it isJnot effect
i've. OF these two points the
stronger is that which relates to the
effectiveness OF the blockade, as
Great Britain may reply that the Or
der in council was a sufficient procla-
nation and was tantamount to
Worldwide pronouncement. lhe
ouestion OF effectiveness is most
vital. 1t is an established principle
OF international law that the block
ade must be effective in order to be
acceptable and legal. In other words,
if the blockade is not complete se1z-
ures made by the blockading power
are at its risk In this instance the
American contention is that the
British blockade is ineffective because
trade remains free and until very
recently undisturbed between Ger
manv and the Scandinavian states,
Great Britain cannct plead the diff
fcultv of biockading the German Bal
tic coast "a justification for the in
effectiveness of the blockade in this
direction.
1t is an established American prin
ciple that d blockading power can
seize goods consigned to neutral
countries. but destined for bellig-
ercnt. This principle is applicable
to the present case, but in its appli-
cation it must be shown plainly that
seized goods are specifically destined
for Germany and are not being sent
10 the common stock OF a neutral
country.
In effect the United States accuses
Great Britain OF bad faith in seizing
American ships and cargoeS on sus-
picion OF being destined for belliger-
ents while consigned to neutrals,
while herself conducting a large and
increased trade with neutrals in Cir
cumstances that afford no greater
presumption OF innocence than in the
case OF the inhibited American trade.
This government, furthermore, de-
nounces as unjustifiable the British
methods OF seeking evidence OF
enemy destination, particularly the
requirement that seized vessels prove
innocence instead of Great Britain
proving guilt.
In 'unhesitatingly' assuming the
championship OF neutral rights
against the lawless conduct OF bel
ligerents" the United States in the
present case makes no distinction be-
tween German attacks upon Ameri-
can lives i'll the prosecution OF sub
marine warfare and British attacks
upon American rights and property
i'll the conduct of a blockade which
it regards as illegal and indefensible.
The note carries no drastic language
OF warning. but ii indicates plainly
its determination not to submit
further TO the British practices un-
der the blockade, leaving for future
Development definition OF its pur-
pose in case the present and pre-
sunlably final protest is unheeded.
IN this war the United States has
been caught and gravely injured be-
tween the competitive violations of
international law by both Germany
and Great Britain. 1t has cried, a
plague on both your houses" From
Germany it has. after much difficulty.
secured some redress in notifications
OF form OF warfare that DESTROYED
Americans at sea without regard for
the physical rights OF neutral nom
combatants. From Great Britain it
now seeks redress in notifications
of a blockade practice that ignores
the property rights of its own peo-
pie. While there is distinction be-
tween the destruction OF life and the
destruction of property, the United
States shows toward Great Britain
the same determined spirit to en-
force its rights that it has manifest
ed toward Germany in the matter OF
submarine slaughter.