Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-04-06

llHcuCeS on thClr part Insofar as they
Iaffect neutral rights.
Wide scope of Prize Court.
This government notes with graft
! Ification that wide discretion is az.
fCrded 10 the prize court in dealing
with the trade of neutrals in such
manner as may in the circumstances
be deemed Just and that fun provision
Is made TO facilitate claims bv per-
sons interested in any goods placed in
the custody Of the marshal of the
prize court.
In view of these assurances for
mally given to this government, Il is
confidently expected that the extern
sive powers conferred by the order in
council ON the executive officers Of
the crown will be restricted by or
ders Issued by the government direct
Ing the exercise of their discretionary
powers in such manner as TO modify
In practical application those provi-
sions Of the order In council, which,
If strictly enforced, would violate neu-
tral rights ana interrupt legitimate
trade. Relying on the faithful per-
fOrmance of these voluntary assur-
ances by his majestys government,
the United States takes Il for granted
that the approach Of American mer-
chantment TO neutral ports will not be
nterfered with when It is known that
they do not carry goods which are
contaband Of war or goods destined
TO or proceeding from ports within
the belligerent territory affected
Blockade Too Great
"The government Of the United
States assumes with the greater confi-
dence that his majesty's government
will thus adjust their practice to the
Tt.g atgTrA tIgFt IL
because II is manifest that the Brit
lsh government have adopted an cx-
traordinary method OF stopping car
goes destined for or coming from the
enemy's territory, which, owing to
the existence Of unusual conditions In
modern warfare at sea, IL VIII be diff
ficult TO restrict 10 the limits which
have been heretofore required by tho
law Of nations. Through tho area Of
operations IL confined 10 European
waters including the Mediterranean,
so great an area OF the high seas IS
covered and the Gordon Of ships Ia so
distant from the territory affected
that neutral vessels must necessarily
pass through the bloCkadlng in order
to reach important neutral ports
which Great Britain, as q belligerent,
has not the legal right 10 blockade
and which, therefore Il IS presumed,
she has no intention Of claiming to
blockade Tho Scandinavian and
Danish ports, for example. are open
TO American trade They are also
free 50 far as the actual enforcement
Of the order I'm council Is concerned,
TO carry on trade with German Bal.
tic ports although it r. an essential
element Of blockade that it bear with
equal severity upon all neutrals
This government, therefore. infcrs
that the commanders OF his maieisty's
ships Of war will be instructed TO
avoid imposing restrictions upon neu-
trail trade more burdensome than
those which have been regarded as
inevitable when the ports Of a bell
llgerent are actually blockaded by the
ships Of its enemy.
Hazards L. S. Trade.
"The possibilities Of serious inter.
ruption Of American trade under the
order in council are 70 many and the
methods proposed are so unusual and
seem liable 10 constitute 80 great an
impediment and embarrassment TO
neutral commerce that the govern.
ment Of the United States. II the order
IN council is strictly enforced appre-
hends many intorferences with It's le-
climate trade, which will impose
upon his majesty's government heavy
responsibilities for acts Of the Brit
ish authorities clearly subversive OF
the rights OF neutral nations on the
high seas.
1t IL therefore expected that his
majesty's government having consid-
cred these possibilities will take the
necessary steps TO avoid them. and
in the event that they should unhap-
PLY occur viii be prepared TO make
fmll fhnhfatlnh fnf hNkfN bot which