Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-08
Declares England's Blockade
Is Ineffective, Illegal and
Indefensible"
THE UNITED STATES
WILL NOT STAND FOR IT
=" America Has Assumed and
VIII Perform the Task Of
Defending Neutral S

Washington, Nov S.-America stood
before the world today as unaltorably
and firmly opposed to Great Britain Is
interference with neutral trade and on
record as holding the British blockade
illegal.
With the United States note of pro-
test published broadcast, it became
England Is next move. Action, not
words, is expected to be England s prop
er reply. The message expressed an
anticipation that compliance with Am
erica s vigorous insistenee on renewal
of trade restrictions may be hoped for
and realized.
Because of the notes length and
numerous technicalities, it will be i'm
possible for the British to reply for
several weeks. If then there is dead
lock, as seems possible, the United
States win arbitrate the questions at
issue, confident of the outcome.
Whole Country is Pleased.
Commendation of the tone and sub
stance of the note poured into the
White House in messages from all over
the land. Press comment before the
president indicated a national approval,
except from the German-Ameriean
press, which was either half hearted or
critical in its discussion.
Officials were interested 10 know
how Great Britain and Germany re-
ceived the note. They contended that
it demonstrates the nation 3 neutrality,
as it deals with England as vigorously
as previous notes dealt with Germany
on the question of freedom Of the seas.
The failure to protest seizures Of cot
ton shipments and England's designa
ton of cotton as eontrnbaDd is ex-
pected to draw criticism from the south.
A separate note, however, will be for
warded before long on the matter Of
the contraband decree while similarly,
separate representations are expected
against seizures Of meat caTgoes on
mere conjecture when designed for
entry into a neutral country s general
stock
viii Defend Neutral's Rights.
While making no threats as 70 the
future, the administration said unmis-
takably that ii regarded England 5
non.airtight blockade as "ineffec-
tive, illegal and indefensive" while at
the same time it declared emDbatically
it cannot complacently suffer "furtn-
er subordination of its rights and in
terests
The only indication that the admin
istration has further action in mind in
event of British failure TO "come
through" was contained in the an
nouncement that, having unhesitatingly
assumed the task Of defending neutral
rights, America will energetieally pur-
sue this task.
The main points Of Secretary Lans-
ing's concl ding statement may he
summarized as follows;
England's methods of trying TO get
evidence Of enemy destination Of ear
goes bound for neutral ports, and to
impose contraband capture thereon,
| plus the use of so.called, but ineffec.
| tive blockade are indefenSble and il.
legal.
England S Methods Illegal,
The prize court method Of reparation
is defective and in many coses in viola
tion Of international law.
The United States "cannOt submit
to the curtailment Of its neutral rights
by these measures, which are admitted
ly retaliatory," and therefore Illegal
The United States being affected by
England IS course, cannot compIacently
suffer further encroachmcnts on her
own rights
The United States, therefore, "dc-
sires to impress most earnestly upon
his maiesty's government that II must
insist that the relations between It and
his maiesty's government be governed,
not by u policy of expedieney, but by
those established rules of international
conduct upon which Great Britain in
the past has held the United States to
account"
viii Back Its Demands.
This course is important TO preserve
the laws for future generations.
The United States assumes its task
of champion unhesitatingly and will
proceed to prosecute its duty diligent-
ly.
The United States holds Britain g evil
dence frequently flimsy; regards II as
setting aside precedents, and as failing
to take into account (when urging in
crease of United States trade as evil
dencc Of trading indirectly with bel.
ligerent) the higher prices Of commodi'
ties and the blocking of other sources
open to countries before the war.
England Is increased commerce itself
4