The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-01
TEXT Of PROTEST

Tiki III pRUItSl
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the freedom to which 1t was entitled
by the law OF nations
Britain Seemed Satisfied.
This expectation seemed to be rend-
cred tho more assured by the state
ment Of the foreign once early in No
cember that the British Government
was satisfied with guarantees offered
by the Norwegian, Swedish and DAN
ish Governments as to transportation
Of contraband goods when consigned
to named persons in the territories of
these governments and that orders
had been given to the British fleet and
customs authorities to restrict inter-
ference with neutral vessels carrying
such cargoes, 30 consigned to vertical
ton Of ships papers and cargoes.
Il II. therefore. matter OF deep
regret that. though nearly Ave months
have passed since the war began. the
British Government has not material
~ changed it's policy and does not
treat len vigorously ships and cargoes
passing between neutral ports in the
peaceful pursuit of lawful commerce
which beiligerents should protect
rather than interrupt. The greater
freedom from detention and seizure
which was confidently expected to re-
suit from consigning shipments to
DEFINITE consigneas rather than "to
order" In still awaited.
1t In 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
iigercnt should not be interfered with
by those 1t war unless such Interior
ence Ia manifestly an imperative ne
,,essity TO protect their national safety
and then only to the extent that II Is a
necessity. 1t Is with no lack % aprre-
citation OF the momentous nature Of
the political struggle. in which Great
Britain Is engaged and with no sell
fish desire to- gain undue commercial
advantage that this government Is re-
!uctantly forced to the conclusion that
the present policy of His Majesty 8
government toward neutral ships and
cargoes exceeds the manifest neces-
sites OF beiligerent and constitutes
restrictions Upon the rights of Ameri-
can citizens. on the high seas which
are not justified by the rules OF inter-
national law or required under the
principle Of selfpreservation.
Ground OF complaint
The government Of the United states
does not intend at this time y discuss
the propriety of including certain arti
Ties In the lists OF absolute and condi-
t.onai contrabard. which have been
proclaimed BY His Najesty's~ govern
ment Open to objection as some OF
these seem to this government. the
chief ground of present complaint II
II treatment Of carEoes of both classes
Of articles when bound to neutral ports.
Articles listed as absolute contra
band. shipped from the United States
md consigned to neutral countries.
have been seized and detained on the
ground that the countries TO which
they were destined have not prohibited
the expectation Of such articles, en-
warranted as such detentions are, In
the opinion OF this government. Amer
lean exporters are further perplexed
by the apparent indecisiop, OF the Brit
ish authorities in applying their own
rules to neutral carRoes. For example.
n shipment OF copper from this country
to a 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. as this government In In
formed, put In force decree that ship
,nents to Italian consignees or TO
order" which arrive in ports of Italy.
cannot be exported or transshipped
The only exception Italy makes Is OF
copper which passes through that
country in transit TO another country.
In SPITE OF these DEGREES. however.
the British Foreign ONCE has thus far
declined to affirm that copper ship
ments consigned to Italy will not be
rnoiested on the high seas Seizures
are 10 numerous and delays so pro-
longed that exporters are afraid to
send their copper to Italy, steamship
lines decline TO accept IL. and insurers
refuse to issue policies upon 1t. In a
word. legitimate trade In being great
" impaired through uncertainty as to
the treatment which II expects at the
hands OF the British authorities.
AhunAaatIy Justined.
We feel that We are abundantlyS Jus
titled in asking for information as to
the manner in which the British gov
eminent proposes to carry out the
policy which they have adopted. In
order that we may determine the steps
necessary to protect our citizens en-
gagged In foreign trade. In their rights
ana from the serious losses to which
they are liable through ignorance Of
the hazards to which their cargoes are
sxposed. -
In the case Of conditional contra
band the policy OF Great Britain ap-
pears to this government to be equally
unJustifled by the established rules OF
International conduct. As evidence Of
this, attention IL directed to the fact
that = number Of the American cargoes
which have been seized consist OF food
1tutfs and other articles Of common use
n AL countries, which are admittedly
relative ccntraband. In Nate of tho
presumption Of the innocent use be-
cause destined to neutral territory. the
British authorities made these seizures
ana detentions without. so far as we
are Informed. being In possession Of
Facts which warranted a reasonab be.
1tief that the shipments had been In
reality helligerent destination, az