Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-01
Note Is Couched in Diplomatic
Language but Is UnmiStak-
ably Finn in Purpose 10 Sc
cure Relief,
FRIENDLY FEELING OF
AMERICANS CHANGING
Uncertainty of English Reg
uIationS Regarding Contra
band Cannot Be Tolerated
Longer by United States.

Washington. Dee 3l-Ry mutual
agreement between the state depart
ment and the British foreign office.
the fun text OF the note sent by the
United States 10 Great Britain, insist
! ing on an early Improvement in tho
/ treatment OF American commerce by
I the British fleet was made public
( here tonight. The full text follows:
: iia Secretary ~ State 20 thc Am
efican Ambassador at London.
Department Of State. Washington,
| ID. O.. Dec. 20. 1914.
! "The present condition Of Ameri-
/ can foreign trade, resulting from tho
frequent seizures and detentions of
American cargoes destined to neutral
/ European ports has become 80 serious
as to require a candid statement OF
/ the views OF this government in order
that the British government may be
I fully informed as TO the attitude of
the United states towards the policy
/ which has been pursued by the Britt
ish authorities during the present
war.
Most Friendly Spirit.
you will, therefore, communicate
the following TO his majesty's princi-
/ pal secretary Of state for foreign az
/ inirs, but ~ doing SO you will assure
him that II Is done Ia the most friend
~ spirit and IN the belief that frank
ness viii better serve the continuance
Of cordial relations between the two
countries than silence, which may he
misconstrued into ucqulsence in "a
course of eonduet which this govern
ment cannot but .cousider 10 be nm
infl1nscment upon the rights OF Ani-
| erican citizens.
THE government of the United
states has viewed with growing con-
eern the large number OF vessels a-
den with American goods destined TO
neutral ports In Europe, which have
been seized ON the high seas, taken
into British ports and detained, some
| times for weeks, by the British au-
I thorities. During the early DAYS of
the war this government assumed that
/ the policy adopted by the British gov
eminent was due 60 the unexpected
outbreak of hostilities and the neees-
sity Of immediate action to prevent
/ contrahand from reaching the enemy
For this reason IL was not disposed
TO judge this policy hnrshly or protest
| II vigorously, although II was mani
[ festly very injurious to American
trade with the neutral countries Of
/ Europe. This government, relying
confidently upon the high regard
which Great Britain has SO often ex-
pressed in the past for the rights OF
| other nations confidently awaited
amendment Of a course Of action
which denied TO neutral commerce
the freedom TO which It was entitled
/ by the law Of nations.
Early British Policy.
This expectation seemed to be
/ n.f NI... 1
stntement Of the foreign office early
IN November that the British govern
! ment was satisfied with guarantees Of
fered by the Norwegian swedish and
Danish governments as to non-export-
alton Of contraband goods when con
signed to named persons in the terri
tories Of those governments and that
orders had been given to fhe British
/ fleet ana customs authorities to re-
/ strict Interference with neutral ves-
sells carrying such cnrgoes so con-
signed to verification Of ships papers
and cargoes.
"lt Is, therefore a matter Of deep
1 regret that though nearly five months
! have passed since the war began. the
British government have not material
I ~ changed their policy and do not
/ treat less vigorously ships and cargoes
passing between neutral ports. in the
/ peaceful pursuit of lawful commerce.
I which belligerents should protect
! rather than interrupt The grenter
1 freedom from detention and seizure
which was confidently expected to re-
/ suit from conslening shipments to
! definite consgnees, rather than TO
] order Is sim awaited.
1T Is needless 10 point out to his
malesty's government, usually the
champion of the freedom OF the seas
and the rights of trade, that peace,
mot war is the normal relation be-
! twen nations and that the commerce
I between countries which are not bell
I lgerents should not be interfered
with by those at war unless such in
preference is manifestly an impera-
! tive necessity To protect their nation
/ al safety and then only to the extent
| that il Is a necessity II Is with no lack
1 Of appreciation of the momentous
nature Of the present struggle in
which Great Britain Is engaged, and
with no selfish desire to gain undue
commercial advantage that this gov
ernment is reluctantly forced to the
conclusion that the present policy Of
/ his maiestys government toward
neutral ships and cargoes exceeds the
manifest necessity OF a belligerent
aud constitutes restrictions upon the
rights Of American citizens on the
! high seas which are not justified by
/ the rules Of international law or re-
| nuired under the principles of self
| preservation
Avoids Conditional COutraland.
THE government OF the United
States does not intend at this time
10 discuss the propriety Of including
certain articles in the list of absolute
and conditional contraband which
have been proclaimed by his majesty.
open to objection as some of these
seem to this government, the chief
ground OF present complaint Is the