The Detroit times., 1915-11-08

OF reparation for an International i'm
Jury To inherently defective for the
purpose, and that IN many cases
Jurisdiction Is asserted in violation
oI the law OF nations
'"rhe United states, therefore, can
not submit 10 the curtailment OF IT.
neutral rights by these measures,
which are admittedly regulatory. ana
therefore illegal, In conception ana
in nature, and intended To punish the
enemies OF Great Britain tor alleged
illegalittes on their part
The United states might not be
I'm n position to object TO them II tts
neurals were unaffected by them, but.
being affected. II cannot with com
placence suffer further subordlnation
OF it's rights and interests 70 the plea
that the exceptional seosraphi.
position OF the enemies or Great
Britain require or justify oppressive
and illegal practices
The government OF the United
states desires. therefore. To inpicss
most earnestly upon his majesty ;
government that II must insist that
the relations between IL and ms ma
Jesty's government governed NOT
'by policy OF eNpcdientN nut bE
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 81.
gagged i'm struggle for nauonal
portanCe To neutrals not only OF the
present day but 81 the future that
the principles OF International right
he maintained unimpaired.
This task Of Ch1mpion'ng me IN
tegrity Of neutral rights, which have
received the sanction OF the clNlIlLeI
world against the lawless conduct OF
heliigercnts arising OUT OF the bit-
terness OF the great conflict which ~
now wasting the countries OF Europe.
the United states unhesitatlnglN as
Sumes and 10 the accomplishment OF
that task IL viii d"tote us enersles'
eNercisin- always that Importantly
which iron. the outbreak OF the war
II has sought 70 exercise In It's rela-
lions with the warring nations.
The note is dated oct. u, and ac-
knowledges the notes OF the British
government dated Jan. :. Feb. 10.
June -. July -. July 81 (twol. Aug.
IL. and note vcrbalc OF the British
embassy OF Aug. s, all OF which re-
late 10 restrictions Jpon American
commerce. The United states says
swcrinc these notes i'm the hope that
the announced purpose OF Great
Britain ito exercise their beIhgerent
right with every possible considera-
tiun for the interests Of neutrals.
and Of causing the least possible
amount ~ inconvenience TO persons
engaged in legitimate trade" would
in practice not uujgstlaably infringe
upon the neutral rights or American
citizens.
1T is therefore matter OF re-
greet" says the note, that this hope
has not been realized. but that on
the contrary. Interference with Ann
erican ships and CarEoeS destined IN
good faith t. neutral ports and law
fully entitled 10 proceed have be-
come Increasingly NeNatious, causing
American shtn-owners and american
20 complain 10 this gov
eminent OF the failure 10 take steps
10 prevent ar exercise OF helligerent
power in contravention OF their Just
rights. As the measures complained
OF proceed directly from orders is-
executed by British authorities. and
arouse reasonable apprehension
that. II not resisted. they may he ear
ried TO an extent even more injurious
to American interests. this govern
ment directs the attention OF his
government to the follow
ing considerations.
Thirty-ive numbere paragraphs
contain the specific points made
against Great Britain by the Unit
ed States.
Summarized the most important
are.
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-
evidence
The United States repudiates the
assertion that il 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 we'll as
those of the United States, is shown
by citation Of consular reports.
That British ships trade with
ports under blockade ic in defiance
Of the recognized rule that block
AIDES apply impartially TO the ships
n all nations.
The United States will not rec
Dguize the blockade instituted I'M
der the orders in council as legal.
The fact that cotton has recently
been placed on the contraband list
Is cited to show that even Great
Britain herself must be convinced
81 the inadequacy OF her blockade |