Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-02-18

practically to arrest the decline Of
American exports which was I'm pro-
gress earlier in the year; IN fact, any
decrease In American exports which
is attributed to the war is essentially
due 10 cotton
Pointing that Great Britain has
never declared cotton contraband or
lnterferrei with its shipment, the note
then remarks that imports Of cotton
to the United Kingdom fell as heavily
rs those TO other countries and the
same mo doubt was true of France -
The general result" it continued,
lis to show cOnvincingly that the
naval operations Of Great Britain are
hot the cause of any diminution in
the volume Of American exports and
that If the commerce of the United
States is I'm the unfavorable condition
which your eXcellency describes, the
cause ought in fairness to be sought
elsewhere than In the activities Of
his majesty's naval forces"
Moreover, the British communica-
tion contends that even though trade
between the United States and the
allies has diminished from normal, the
commerce with neutral countries as
compared with previous years has
been maintained and the Inference
may, fairly be drawn" that sub
stantial part of this trade was in fact
intended for the enemy countries go
ing through neutral ports by routes
TO which 1t was previously unaccus-
toned"
Ship Shortage Blamed,
Taking up some of the "inconvcn-
fences to which this great was is eX-
posing the commerce Of all neutral
countries, the note points out that un-
doubtedly the Serious shortage in
shipping available for ocean trans
port and the consequential result OF
excessive freights' have had much to
do with the situation, but denial Is
entered that Great Britains activity
has brought about this shortage, for lC
Is added that only ten neutral vessels
are awaiting adjudication in prize
court Great Britain declares that
she, too, is suffering from the short
age of shipping and a rise in freights
''as acutety if not more than other
nations" and has taken every step
consistent with belllgerent interests
to increase the tonnage available for
the transport of sea-borne commerce" 4"
The hope is expressed that the
| United States will realize that the de-
tention of neutral ships by the allies
, has not contributed nearly so much
| to the shortage of shipping "as has
| the destruction Of neutral vessels by
submarine mines indiscriminately laid
! by the enemy on the high seas many
miles from the coast in the tracks Of
merchant vessels
! Up till now" the note continues,
"25 neutral vessels have been reported
! as destroyed by mines on the high
seas, quite apart from all questions
/ Of the breach Of. treaties and the de-
struction Of life, there is far more
reason for protest on the score of bel
| Iligercnt interference with innocent
neutral trade through the mines scat
tered by the enemy than through the
! British exercise Of the right of Selling
contrdband."
Refers To PrcCedcnts
| Discussing the general proposition
that a belligerent is entitled to capture
tCCutraband goods on their way TO the
| enemy, the British note traces the
| origin Of the right OF interception and
| speaks of the new devices encountered
! from time to time for despatching
contraband goods to an enemy. Here
the doctrine Of continuous voyage as
enunciated during the civil war by
Secretary Seward is quoted at length
and the question of ultimate destna-
| tion argued in legal detail. To Justify
! the detention OF suspected cargoes
when passing between neutral coun-
| tries and taking them into ports for
examination the cases Of American
practice during the Spanish American
war also are cited, and the note says
these precedents are inconsistent with
! the statement Of the American gov
ernment made 10 the British ambas-
sador at Washington on the 18th OF
| November, 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 cir
cumstarces ascertained from external
sources"
The foreign secretary reiterated
! that the increased size of steamships
necesstates search in calm waters and
insists that during the Russo-Japanese
and also during the second Balkan
war British vessels were made to
deviate from their course and follow
J the cruisers to some spot where the
right OF visit and search could be
more conveniently carried out" and
! ia both cases, although questioned at
first, Great Britain finally acquiesced."
should visit British Port.
To take "a ship into port the note
contends, is not to be looked upon
las new belligcrent right, but as an
adaptation Of the existing right to the
modern conditions OF commerce." and
| like all belligerent rights. 1t must be
exercised with due regard TO neutral
interests ard It would be unreasonable
| 20 expect a neutral vessel to make
| long deviations from her course for
this purpose" For this reason. Il IL
asserted, neutral merchantmen are
encouraged TO visit some British port
on their route TO avoid the alterna-
| tive Of keeping a vessel waiting per-
/ haps for days for better weather con
ditions on the high seas
Realizing that in no war that has
/ vet been waged have neutral indi-
viduals mot occasionally suffered
from unjustified belllgerent action"
Great Britain suggests that oppor-
/ tunities for adequate compensation
are offered in the British prize courts.
details Of which proceedings are
| given
1T is the common experience OF
every war" continues the note. that
neutrals whose attempts TO engage In
suspicious trading are frustrated by
belllgerent are wont 10 have recourse
to their government to urge that dip
\ q a