The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-19

COttOu.
Gotten Not COntraband.
Pointing out that Great Britain has
never declared cotton contraband or
interferred with Its shipment. the
note suys that imports OF cotton TO
the United Kingdom fell as heavily as
those to other countries.
"'rhe general result" It continues,
is to- show cpnvincingly that the
naval operations OF Great Britain are
not the cause Of any dimunition in the
volume Of American exports. and that
II the commerce or tho United States
is III the unfavorablc condition which
your cxcellency describes, the cause
ought In fairness to be sought clsc-
where than Ii the activities OF his
majesty's naval forces"
The communication contends that
even though trade between the United
States and the Allies has diminished.
the volume commerce with neutral
countries has been maintained and the
inference may fairly be drawn" that
a Substantial part of this trade was
In face intended for the enemy coun-
tries going through neutral ports"
Shortage OF Ships.
Taking up some OF the 'incQnvcn-
lcnces TO which this great, war lis ex-
posing the commerce Of oil neutral
countries" the note points ont that
undoubtedly the serious shortage In
shipping available for ocean trans
ports and tho consequential result OF
excessive freights" have had much 10
Gtered that Great IJritain's activity
hns brought about this shortage, for 1t
| In added that only ten neutral vessels
| are awaiting adjudication In prize
| courts. Great Britain declares she too
Is suffering "as acutcly II not more
than other nationo," from n shortage
! OF shipping unt, { rike In frelghts md
hns iaken every s:er consistent With
bcl!igerent interests to Increase the
tonnage available for tho transport
| OF sea borne commerce.
| Destruction OF Vessels Mostly the
Cause.
Tho hope is Expressed that the
United Siatca Will realize that the de-
tcntiOn OF neutral ships By the Allies
| liza, not contributed nearly 40 much to
the shortage OF shipping ":s has the
| destruction of neutral vessels by sub.
| mu..nc mines intiiscrlminately laid by
the enemy OH the high sens in the
| track of merchant vessels"
Up till now" continued the note,
twenty-five neutral vessels have been
reported Us destroyed By mine on the
high seas; quite apart from NIL Ques-
tons OF the breach OF treaties and
the destruction OF life. there Is far
lnere reason for protest OH the score
of belligerent interference with inno-
cent neutral trade through the mines
scattered BY the enemy than through,
the nrlti.h exercise. OF the right uf
scizing contraband."
ileiligerent Entitled to Capture Con.
trabnnd.
Discussing the general proposition
that q belligerent Is entitled to cap
ture contraband goods on their way to
tho enemy. the British note traces
tho origin .oS the right of interrogation
and quotes at length the doctrine Of
continuous voyage as enunciated dur
ing the Civil war by Secretary Seward,
The question Of ultimate destination
nlso ID argued in legal detail.
To justify the detention OF suspect
ed cargoes passing between neutral
countries. and taking them into ports
for examination. the cases of American
practice during the Spanish-American
war are cited and the note says these
prccedents are inconsistent with the
statement Of the American govern
ment to the British ambassador at
Washington November Z. which insists
that search should be. made ON the
high seas ''at the time OF the visit"
and that the conclusion OF the search
should rest upon the evidence found
on the ship under Investigation and
not upon circumstances ascertained
from external sources" }i' 80
search Mnst BE Made In Still Water.
Tho foreign secretary reiterates that
the increased size OF steamships nee.
essitetes search in calm waters and
insists that during tho Russo Japanese
ws- saa also during the second Hal.
kan war British vessels were made tn
devfate from their. course and follow
the cruisers to some spot where the
right of visit and search could bs
more conveniently carried out" and
In both cases. although questioned
at fret, Great Britain finally ac-
IuiesceG... 81
S To take ship into port, the note
contends. Ia not TO be looked upon
"as q new beliigerent right, hut as
an adaptation OF the existing right
to the modern conditions Of com.
merce." and, II must be exercised "with
duo regard to neutral interests and 4:
would be unreasonable Sto expect a
neutral vessel to, make long iieyia.
ttona from her course for this pur-
pose For this reason, It Is nssert I'd. !
neutral merchantmen were encourng.
ed 10 visit some Hsitish port on, their
Nsutrals Have Suffered r. IN Wara. 1,
RefSltzinH that ~ :, = =, ~ ~ =