The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-02
Washington Officials Regard 1t AS An Unpreced-
ented and Novel Step and One Likely to Work
injury to Commerce Between u. S. and
Other Nations SD.
NOTIFICATION CAN NOT
BE CALLED A BLOCKADE
State Department Officials Admit One of the Mot ConIev
Problems of the War Has Arisen-Soppmg of Commerce
to and From Germany Viewed With Much
More Seriousness Than a Blockade

officials expect that It will be an ac-
quiescence in the principle OF the
American proposals. From Great
Britain not word has come In sew
eral days until today's statement that
the matter was under consideration.
This created feeling OF hope among
some officials thnt an understanding
might be reached. .,a
In other quarters. however. there
was disposition to regard the Ameri-
can Informal communication as likely
to fail of accomplishing anything be-
yond possible amelioration OF con-
ditions as to mines in the open seas. (
Displeasure Not Concealed,
Displeasures over the latest devel-
opments was not concealed in state
department circles, where the stop
ping of commerce to and from Ger.
| many was viewed with much, more,
seriousness. than blockadA, since II
interfered algo with caTgoes prasum~,
ed to be bound 10 2 beiligerent while
In transit to a neutral country. Where
| as the doctrine OF continuouse voyage
previously has been invoked An /. the
present war by Great Britain to sEB-
! tain her right to detain cargoes at
any stage in their Journey IL proved
| ultimately to be destined to helli-
gerent, such presumption Ia UNDER
| stood now to include all articles OF
| merchandise, such as machinery and
! implements. as we'll as cotton bound
| between the United States and neu-
trail countries, unless an embargo on
re-eXportation Is put into effect by the
neutrals 10 whom the products are
consigned.
| Will Increase Duties Of Government.
| Injection Of an element of suspicion
! on carg oes Of goods hitherto un-
touched when bound between neutral
ports will greatly increase the duties
of the American government In pro-, /,
tecting the interests of It's shippers
from Undue delays and detentions
without sufficient proof. ~
The entire question OF the right.
set UP by Great Britain, to take nen-
trail vessels into ports. for examina-
tion and kindred subjects. such es
consigEments 10 order" and to NAM
ed consisnees, Will be brought into
the field OF discussion again, affecting
materially the answer which the Unit
cd States was preparing tn the COR
respondencc with Great Britain on the
subject Of cOntraband begun with the
American note Sof December % and
continued in a preliminary and sup
Elementary reply from Great Britain.
Undecided What Step TO Take.
In approaching the question OF the
ground on which tho United States
should enter protest against the ac-
| tion OF the Allies, officials were doubt
rui as to whether they would make
their argument on the theory that
blockade In reality WAS being at
tempted, or whether they would con-
tend for the uninterrupted passage
of cargoes between this country aud
belligerents not listed as cbntraband..
Officials realized that except for
diplomatic correspondence the points
of which might be easily exhausted
without remedy. there was no way for
neutral governments to. enforce their
protests and still maintain thei. neu-
trality. The general disregard OF pre-
cedents. It was pointed out, has made
the position Of neutrals more delicate
IN the present circumstances than
ever before, though a somewhat sin,i-i
lar situation which led to anlbargoes,
by the United States and the non.sn-
tercourse act, arose in the early pnrt,
Of the nineteenth century during the,
Napcleonic wars. A blockade was de-
clared by Great Britain against the
coast from the River .Elbe to the Port
Of Brest F'rance, inclusive Napoleon,
then In camp at Berlin, proclaimed u
counter blockade the entire British
coast. and prohibited sc9mtlierce with
England. Great Britain has retaliated
by issuing an "orter In council pro-
hibiting neutral vesBsls from trading
with the ports of France and her allies.
and with all ports OF Europe from i