Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-01

statement of the foreign office early
in November that the British gov
ernment were satisfied with guaran-
tees offered by The Norwegian, Swed-
ish and Danish governments as to
non-exportation of contraband goods
when consigned to named persons In
the territories Of those governments.
and that orders had been given to the
British fleet and customs authorities
to restrict interference with neutral
vessels carrying cargoes so consigned
20 verification Of ships papers and
cargoes.
ut Ia. therefore, matter Of deep
regret that, though nearly five months
have passed since the war began, the
British government have not mater
tally changed their policy and do not
treat less vigorously ships and car
goes passing between neutral ports In
the peaceful pursuit Of lawful com
merce, which belligerents should pro-
test rather than interrupt. The
greater freedom from detention and
siezure which was confidently ex-
pected to result from consigning
shipments to definite consignees,
rather than to order is still awaited.
ut is needless to point out to his
majesty's government. usually the
champion of the freedom Of the seas,
and the rights OF trade, that peace,
not war. Is the normal relation be-
tween nations and that the commerce
between countries which are not bel
ligerents should not be interfered with
by those at war unless such inter-
ference is manifestly an imperative
necessity to protect their national
safety and then only to the extent
that 1t Is necessity.
No Selfish Desires.
at is with no lack of appreciation
of the momentous nature of the pres
ent struggle In which Great Britain
Is engaged and with no selfish desire
to gain undue commercial advantage
that this government Is reluctantly
forced to the conclusion that the pres
ent policy Of his majesty's govern
ment toward neutral ships and car
goes exceeds the manifest necessity Of
a belllgerent and constitutes restric-
tions upon the rights of American cit
liens on the high seas, which are not
justified by the rules of International
law or required under the principle
Of representation.
"The government of the United
States does not intend at this time
to discuss the propriety Of including
certain articles in the lists Of absolute
and conditional contraband, which
have been proclaimed by his majesty.
open to objection as some Of these
seem to this government. The chief
ground Of present complaint Is the
treatment Of cargoes Of both classes
Of articles when bound to neutral
ports.
articles listed as absolute contra
band, shipped from the United
States and consigned to neutral coun.
tries, have been siezed and detained
on the ground that the countries to
which they were destined have not
prohibited the expectation Of such ar.
ticles.
Own Rules Arc Lax.
Unwarranted as such detentions
are, in the opinion Of this govern
ment, American exporters are fur
ther perplexed by the apparent in
decision Of the British authorities in
applying their own rules to neutral
lcargoes. For example, a shipment
of copper from this country to n
specified consignee in Sweden was
detained because. as was stated by
Great Britain. Sweden had placed no
embargo on copper. On the other
hand, Italy not only prohibited the
export Of copper but az this govern
,ment Is Informed, put in force a de-