South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-04
VESSEL IS SENT
TO PRIZE COURT
Protest of United States is To-
nOred by BritiSh-Threat
is Carried Out.

WASHINGTON, Nov. State de-
partment officials were surprised late
Wednesday afternoon 10 learn that
Great Britain had sent the American
steamship Hooking into a prize court
at Halifax. This summary action was
taken in the face OF the prompt re-
quest by this government that Great
Britain should explain the seizure
through diplomatic channels.
The department Immediately recog-
nized in this action Of Great Britain
the fulhllment OF the threat made by
the British foreign Office June p.
when LORD Crewe. answering for sir
Edward Grey. declared that his
maJesty's government regrets that
they cannot continue TO deal through
the diplomatic channels with indi-
Vldual cases, but they will again point
out that special provision is made for
the consideration OF such cases in the
prize court"
Meant HIS Threat.
The realization was forced upon
officials Of the state department ~ ed
nesday for the first time that Sir Ed
ward Grey meant precisely what he
said when he declared substantially:
First, that the United States must
submit absolutely TO British munich
pal law and orders in council and
make no demand as a diplomatic
right for the release of vessels.
Second, that if this were not salts
factory the United States would have
10 wait the decision OF the English
courts and If that were against the
contentious OF the United States the
question would be submitted TO inter-
national arbitration"
The haste of Great Britain in the
Hooking case. in the opinion Of state
department officials, accentuated her
violation OF international law and
Ignores the express guarantees of this
government given to the hooking and
vessels of her class against seizure
md prize court proceedings.
Provides Excuse.
In order to provide excuse for
the exercise of her self-assumed arbi-
trary power Of seizure, Great Britain
rewrote the declaration Of London.
The government OF the United States
In response to that action declared
officially that cit will not recognize
the validity Of prize court proceedings
taken under restraints imposed by
British municipal law in derOgatiOn OF
the rights of American citizens under
international law"
Ambassador Page officially trans
mitted this refusal of the United
States TO accept he British action to
the British foreign office and the seiz-
ure OF the Hooking is the British
manner of responding to that notifca-
ton
State department officials said We'd
nesday that vigorous protest must
now be promptly forwarded.
VIII Make Demand.
The question Of heavy indemnity
will be brought forcibly TO the at
tention Of the British foreign office
IL is predicted that not only will the
subject of indemnity be emphasized,
but that the note TO go from this
government will speak strongly of a
new and unfriendly attitude OF the
British government towards American
commerce.
1t was said Wednesday night that
the state department will Immediately
advise the British foreign office that
il desires prompt cessation Of the
practice inaugurated in the seizure OF
the Hooking.
The general attitude of the gov
eminent in the new protest" said a
department official today, will be
more than a simple warning or caveat.
IL will be a demand"
Officials said that the sending of
the Hooking to a prize court was
British challenge to the declaration
of the United States government that
II would not recognize the validity
OF such proceedings and that it is
now the state departments turn to
answer the British challenge and to
demand peremptorily and emphatical-
~ that such acts shall not be repeat