Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-15
Secretary Lansing Sends Wig
orouS Protest Against AC-
ton of Gallo Cruiser Near
San Juan, Porto Rico,
TRENT AFFAIR CALLED
UPON FOR PRECEDENT 7
Paris Government Believed
Likely to Refuse to Comply
at First Another Note viii
Then Be Sent

lHY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED HiREl
Washington, Dec. l4-The United
states government today cabled Am-
bassador sharp at Paris for present
alton 10 the French foreign office a
note vigorously protesting against the
removal by the French cruiser Des-
cartes of six Germans and Austrians
from the American steamship Caro-
lima Coamo, at san Juan Immedi-
ste release of the men is asked on
the ground that the seizure of ciu-
zens of any nation from an American
vessel on the high seas is without le-
gal justification and constitutes a fla-
grant violation Of American rights.
approved by President.
The note was dispatched by Secre-
tary Lansing with the full approval
Of President Wilson. 1t also is un-
derstood To- have been discussed by
the president with his cabinet at to-
days meeting
Couched in friendly terms the
communication asserts the American
point Of view emphatically, recltes
precedents employed in the case Of
Gus Picpenbrink a German who was
removed from the American ship
Wmdbcr by the French cruiser Conde
in November OF last year ana relcas-
ed after representations by the Unit
ed States.
Not Armed Enemies.
Attention is directed to the fact
that the men removed FROM the ships
wot uo. mbaaifd in "a, armed
force Of Germany as that term IS
used in the declaration Of London. II
is asserted however that there is no
Justification for the removal of sub
jects Of q nation which is an enemy
Of France from an American vessel
on the high seas bound to neutral
port even if they could properly be
regarded as military persons,
Quotes French Position.
To support this position, it is un-
derstood, the note points to the rule
set down by the French minister Of
foreign affairs in a note sent during
the civil war 10 the French minister
10 the United states in regard to the
removal of the confederate commits
sioners Mason aud Slidell from the
steamship Trent This note, consid-
cred especially applicable to the pres
cnl situation said.
Fits Present Case.
She (the TrenU was carrying her
cargo and her passengers TO a ncu-
tlal country and, moreover, she had
taken them on in a neutral port II
it were admissible that under such
conditions the neutral flag did not
completely cover the persons and
merchandise which it was transport
ing its immunity would no lonser be
anything but an empty word at any
time the commerce and navigation of
third powers would have 10 suffer
from their harmless or even indirect
relations with one or the other Of the
helligerents; the latter would no long
er be entitled merely to require en-
Tire impartiality Of a neutral and to
forbid him from interfering in any
way in the hostilities but they would
Place upon his freedom Of commerce
and navigation restrictions the law
tulness Of which modern information
al law has refused to admit"
Text OF Note Is Brief.
The text of the American note,
which is said to be brief, viii be made
public when word Of the delivery to
the French foreign office is received
by the state department.
officials OF the state department
apparently think the French govern
ment may see fit to contest the con
tQnlions Of the United states and that
lhe men viii not be released until
further communications have passed
between the two governments This
opinion is based on the assumption