The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-08

the cue and send separate notes OF
protest TO England.
AfteA.anlAru'iment on the law and
the facts, Secretary Lansing says;
81 Rliese a has been conclustvely
showk that the methods sought &c
be employed by Great Britain to 90,
destinstion of carEoss bound for
neutral ports and TO impose con-
traband character upon such cargoes
are without Qualifications; that the
sls paasy I 4gSana:d sfs ins sn
legal and indsfensible: that the
judicial procedure offered a. a means
OF reparstion for an international IN
Jury to inherently defective Tor .ns
Jurisdiction Is asserted In violation
OF the law OF nations.
The United States. therefore. can
not submit to the curtailment OF It's
neutral rights by these measures;
which are admittedly retaliatory. and
therefore illegal. in conception and
In nature. and intended ~ punish the
enemies OF Great Britain for alleged
isfss.,'ints nl r. 's States sar might no, be
in A position to object to them IL It's
interests and the interests OF All
-neurals Were unaffected by them. put.
being affected. Il cannot with com
OF its rights and Interests to the plea
that the exceptional geographn,
position of the enemies Of Great
Britain require or justify oppressive
The Government OF the United
States desires, therefore. to Impress
most earnestly rpon his majesty 8
government that IL must insist that
jesty's government b, governed not
by a policy OF expediency. but by
those established rules of interna-
tional conduct upon which Great
Britain in the past has held the
United States to account when the
latter nation was a belligerent en-
gagged In struggle for national
existence. II is OF the highest i'm
portance to neutrals not only of the
present day but OF the future that
the principles OF International right
be maintained unimpalred.
This task OF championing the in
tegrity OF neutral rights. which have
received the sanction OF the civilized
world against the lawless conduct OF
belligerents arising out OF the Bit
terness OF the great conflict which Is
now wasting the countries of Europe.
the United states unhesitatingiy as
sumes, and 10 the accomplishment or
that task Ii will devote its energies.
exercising always that impartiality
which from the outbreak OF the war
IL has sought to exercise In Its rela-
tons with the warning nations.
The note Is dated Oct II, and ac-
knowledges the notes OF the British
dated Jan. Z, Feb. 10.
June p. July g. July 81 ttwol, Aug.
13. and note verbale OF the British
embassy Of Aug. 8. all OF which re-
The United States says
at the outset that IL has delayed an
swering these notes in the hope that
the announced purpose OF Great
- aax bal o. Mt
right with every possible considera-
tion for the interests OF neutrals:
and of causing the least possible
amount OF Inconvenience TO persons
engaged in legitimate trade would
in practice not unIastifably infringe
upon the neutral rights of American
citizens.
1T IL therefore a matter of re-
greet. says the note. that this hope
has not been realized. but that op
the contrary. Interference with Am
erican ships and cargocs destined In
good faith TO neutral ports and law
fully entitled to proceed have be-
come increasingly vexatious. causing
merican ship owners and American
10 complain to this gov
OF the failure to take steps
10 prevent an exercise or belltgerent
power in contravention OF their just
II proceed directly from orders is
'ued by the British government. are
executed by British authorities. and
arouse reasonable apprehension
hat. IL not resisted, they may be car
led TO an extent even more Injurious
% American interests, this govern
nent directs the attention of his
government to the follow
ng considerations"
Thirty-fve numbered paragraphs
contain the specific points made
against Great Britain by the Unit
ed States.
Summarized the most important
are: 1G
That search OF vessels In port
has not been countenanced in the
past by naval instructions issued by
The great powers.
Detention of vessels by Great
Britain has not been practiced as a
result of proofs found at the time
of seizure. but vessels have been
held while search was made to ac-
emulate evidence.
The United States repudiates the
that 1t engaged In similar
practices during the Civi; war and
Great Britain to cite an
Instance OF search OF a vessel In
port, prior to instituting prize court
That British exports to neutral
have increased as well as
hose of the United States, 10 shown
BY citation of consular reports.
That British ships trade with
ports under blockade IL In defiance
Of the recognized rule that block
AIDES apply impartially to the ships
n all nations.
The United States will not rec
ognize the blockade instituted I'M
Ter the orders In council a. legal
The fact that cotton has recently
been placed on the contraband list
s cited to show that even Great
Britain herself must be convinced
of the inadequacy Of her blockade
measures.