The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-01

mere suspicion Is not evidence, ana
doubts should be resolved In favor Of
, neutral commerce. not against 1t.
The effect upon trade in these arti-
cles between neutral nations resulting
from Interrupted voyages and detained
cargoes Is not entirely cured by re-
i'm bursement of the owners for the
damages which they have suffered
after investigation has failed to estab-
lilsh an enemy destination. The injury
is to American commerce with neutral
countries as a whole through the haz
ard of the enterprise and the repeated
diversion of gods from established
markets.
1t also appears that cargoes of this
character have been seized by the Brit
ish authorities because of a belief that.
though not originally so intended by
the shippers. they will ultimately reach
the territory 81 the enemies Of Great
Britain. Yet this belief Is frequently
reduced to q mere fear in view of the
embargoes which have been decreed by
the MURAL countries to which they are
destined. on the articles composing the
cargoes.
British Inconsistencies.
That a consignment ito order of
articles listed as conditional contra
band and shipped to neutral port
raises a legal presumption of enemy
destination appears to be directly con-
trary to the doctrines previously held
by Great Britain, and thus stated by
Lord Salisbury during the South Ari-
can war:
Food stufYs. though having a hos
tile destination, can be considered as
contraband of war only IL they are for
the enemy forces IT 10 not SUFFICIENT
that they are capable of being so used !;
II must be shown that this was. In fact
their destination at the time of their
seizure"
With this statement as to condi-
tional contraband the views of this
government are in entire accord and
upon this historic doctrine, consistent
Is maintained by Great Britain when
q belligerent as well as neutral
American shippers were entitled to
rely.
The government OF the Unite1
states readily admits the full right OF
a belligerent to visit and search OF
the high seas the vessels of American.
citizens or other neutraf vessels carry
ing American goods and 10 detain
them when there Is sufficient evidence
TO Justify belief that contraban
articles are In their cargoes. but his
majesty's government. Judging by
their own experience in the past must
realize that this government canno.
without protest permit American ship
OF American cargoes to be taken into
British ports and there detained TO-:
the purpose of searching generally for
evidence OF contraband or upon pre-
samptions created by special actions
which are clearly at variance with in
ternationai law and practice.
This government believes ana ,earn-
estly hopes his maiesty's government
win come to the same belief that a
course of conduct more In conformity
with the rules OF international USAGE
which G. eat Britain has strongly
end better serve the interests OF bel
Ngerents az well as those OF neutrais.
Not only Is the situation a critical
one TO the commercial interests OF the
! United States, but many citizens of
this country are suffering because
their products are denied the lon.
established markets in European
countries. which though neutral are
contiguous to the nations at war,
Suffering Caused.
Producers. insurance and steamship
companies are pressing, and. not with
out reason, for relief from tie mexace
ally but surely destroying their bust
ness and threatening them with
financial disaster.
The government az the United
States. still relying upon the deep
sense OF justice OF the British ma
ton. which has been so often mani
fest in the intercourse between those
two countries during so many years
of uninterrupted friendship ex-
presses confidently the hope tina.
his majesty's government will realize
che obstacles and dirnculties which
their present policy has placed In tn :.
way Of commerce between the Unitej
States and the neutral countries o.
Europe and will instruct it's officials
TO refrain from all unnecessary inter-
ference with the freedom OF trade
between nations which are sufferers,
though NOT participants. In the pre- .
sent conflict: and will in their treat
ment. OF neutral ships and cargoes
conform more closely to those rules
governing the maritime relations be-
tween belligerents and neutrals which
have received the sanction of the
civilized world and which Great
Britain has in other wars SO strongly
and successfully advocated.
In conclusion it should be impress-
ed upon his maJesty's government
that the present condition Of Amer
can trade with the neutral European
is such that IL 1t does not improve. it
may cause feeling contrary to t.lat
which has SO long existed between the
American and British peoples. AL
ready it Is becoming more and more
the subject sef public criticism and
complaint oTahere Is an increasing
belief, doubtless not entirely unjusti-
fed, that the present British policy
toward American trade lis response
bile for the. depression in certain in :.
dustries which depend upon European
markets.
Titaa- attention the British GOV
eminent is called to this possible re-
suit OF their present policy to show
how widespread tie effect Is upon
the industrial life Of the United States
and to emphasize the importance o.
removing the cause of complaint.