Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-01
Full Text Of the United States Note
Better Feeling in England==Ger=
many. Cannot Resist Twit=
ting Her Enemy
A FRIENDLY NOTE

Washington, Dec, 31-By mutual
agreement between the state depart
ment and the British foreign office
the full text of the note sent by the
United States to Great Britain, insist
ing on an early Improvement in the
treatment of American commerce by
the British fleet was made public to-
night. The full text follows:
1.-The Secretary of State to the
American ambassador at London.
Department of State,
Washington, Dec, 26, 1914.
1.-THE present conditions Of American
foreign trade, resulting from the fire.
quent seizures and detentions OF
American cargoes destined to neutral
European ports has become so serious
as to require candid statement OF the
views Of this government, in order
that the British government may De
fully informed as to the attitude or
the United States toward the policy
which has been pursued by the British
uUIlIl6 IAC PAOsSAS 'O-'
You will. therefore, communicate
the following to His Majesty's secre-
tary of state for foreign affairs, but
in doing SO, you will assure Him that
it is done in the most friendly spirit
and in the belief that frankness Will
better serve the continuance OF cordial
relations between the two countries
than. silence which may be mlscon-
strued into acquiesence in a course
of conduct which this government can
not but consider to be an infringe
ment upon the rights of American citi-
zens.
Causes Of This Note
"The government of the United
States has viewed with growing con-
Germ the large number of vessels laoen
with American goods destined to neu-
trail ports in Europe which have peeh
seized on the high seas, taken INTO
British ports and detained sometimes
for weeks by the British authorities.
During the early days OF the war
this government assumed that tne
policy adopted by the British govern :
ment was due to the unexpected out
break of hostilities and the necessity
of immediate action to prevent contra
band from reaching the enemy. fo-
this reason, it was not disposed "
Judge this policy harshlv "r protest
it vigorously, although it was mani
festly very injurious to American trao9
with the neutral countries OF Europe
This government, relying conndentiS
nnon the high regard which Great
britain has SO often exhibited In the
mast for the rights Of other nations
confidently awaited amendment Oh
course of action which denied to neu-
trail commerce the freedom to Wnlch
it was entitled by the law OF NATIONS.
This expectation seemed to be ZEN
dered the more assured by the state
rnent of the foreign Office early IN NO
vember that the British government
was satisfied with guarantees oHer-
ed by the Norwegian, Swedish ana
nanish governments as to non-eXpof-
taaion of contraband goods when con-
signed to named persons in the terri
tories of those governments ana tnat
orders had been given to the BRUSH
fleet and customs authorities to re-
strict interference with neutral vessels
carving such cargoes so consigned 10
yerification Of ships papers ana car
goes.
ut is, therefore. a matter OF deep re-
eret that, though nearly hve montns
have passed since the war began the
British government have not material
" changed their policy and do not
treat less vigorously ships and car
goes passing between neutral ports In
the peaceful pursuit Of lawful COM
noerce. which belligerents should pro-
tect rather than interrupted. Inc
greater freedom from detention and
seizure which was confidently expect
ed Is result from consigning shipments
TO definite consignees, rather than TO
order is still awaited.
A Neutral Nation's Rights
cit is needless to point out to His
Majesty's government, usually the
champion Of the freedom Of the seas
and the rights Of trade, that peace, not
war. is the normal relation between
nations. and that the commerce be-
tween countries which are not bellig-
erents should not be interfered with
by those at war. unless such interior
ence is mapifestly an imperative ne
cessity to protect their national safe
ty and then only to the extent that 1t
is a necessity. 1t is with no lack OF
appreciation Of the momentous ma
ture Of the present struggle in which
Great Britain is engaged. and with no
selfish desire to gain undue CONNER
cial advantage that this government Is
rol,c< q ufIv forced to the conclusion
that the present policy Of His MaJes-
TVS government toward neutral ships
and cargoes exceeds the manifest ne
cessity of belligerent, and consti-
tutes restrictions upon the rights Of