East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-11-08
Royal NJ. Sawtelle
Established 1887

for delivery to the London foreign
office, was instructed by Secretary
Lansing Ito impress most earnestly
upon the British government that
the United States must insist that
the relations between It and his ma
iesty's government be governed, not
by policy Of expediency, but By
those established rules of interna-
tional conduct TO which Great Brit
ain in the past has held the United
States to account when the latter
nation was a belligerent engaged in
a struggle for national existence"
Declaring the United States "un-
hesitatingly assumes the task OF
champloning the integrity Of neutral
rights, the note proclaims that the
American governmen, VIII devote its
energies 10 the task, exercising al
ways an impartial attitude.
All Phases Discussed.
The note, nearly $4,000 words long
was made public by agreement be-
tween the state department and the
British forign office 1t carries with
it a voluminous appendix. giving the
text of American naval instructions
issued in 1852 and summary and
table showing hundreds Of vessels de-
tained by British authorities since
the beginning of the present war.
The body of the note is divided in
to IS points dealing with all phases
OF the contraband question. seizures
and detentions, prior to, as well as
after the so-called blockade was in
stituted, ana announces that sep
arate communication will be sent
soon dealing particularly with the
'propriety and right of the British
government TO include in their list
of contratand Of war certain articles
which have been SO included
Blockade Regarded Illegal.
In conclusion. after an argument
on the law and facts secretary Ian
sing says;
Il believe it has been conclusiyely
shown that the methoGs sought to
be employed by Great Britain to OBJ
tain and use evidence of enemy des-
tination of cargoes bound for neu-
tral ports and to impose a contra
band character upon such cargoes
are without justification; that the
blockade upon which such methods
are partly founded, is ineffective. il
legal and indefensible; that the judi
cial procedure offered as a means ot
reparation for an International in
jury is inherently defective for the
purpose; and that in many cases jur.
isdiction is asserted in violation Of
the law Of nations
THE Upited 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 auG in
nature. and intended TO punish the
enemies of Great Britain for alleged
illegalities on their part.
OId Rules Are Demanded.
The United states might not ke
in position to object to them ii its
interests and the interests Of all neu.
trails were unaffected by them, bur.
being affected it cannot with coln-
placence suffer further subordinatiol
of its rights and interests to the plea
that the exceptional geographic posi-
ton of the enemies OF Great Bvita N
require or justify oppres i've and IL
legal practices.
The government Of the United
states desires. therefore. to impress
most earnestly upon His Majesty 5
government that it must insist tia,
the relations between it and his ma
iestys government be governed. na!
by a policy Of expediency, but by
those established rules OF interua.
tional conduct upon which Great
Britain in the past has held the Unit
ed states to account when the latter
nation was belligerent engaged in
struggle for nationu existence Il
is of the highest Importance to ut u.
trails not only of the present day bu
Of the future, that the principles Of
international right be maintained un
impaired
IawlcSsness Is charged.
This task of champiouing the in
tegrity Of neutral rights which have
| received the sanction OF the ciyiliz
ed world against the lawless couduei
Of belligerents arising out of the bit.
| terness Of the great conflict whieh is
now wasting the countries ot EUROPE
the United States unhesiiat.ngE as.
sumes. and to the accumpl.shmaH, OF
that task II vii devote It's energies
exercising always that impartatlU
which from the outbreak OF the wal
IL has sought TO exercise Do lbs rtls-
ti'nS with the warning nations