Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-25


under the general principles of in
ternational law, no exception can be
taken to neutral states letting war
material go to Germany's enemies
from or thru neutral territory"
That representations were made to
potf, Japan and Great Britain against
lhe continued presence of their war
ships-off American ports and that the
protests were in each case needed.
That since the announcement of the
Washington governments disapproval
II war loans, none has been made by
foreign governments in this country.
A distinction IL drawn officially Tor
he first time between loans f1oated by
popular subscription and large credit
transactions for the purchase Of war
supplies, the state department reveal
ing that it has no objection to the
latter.
In a general way, the letter set forth
that rules Of neutrality have been
promulgated by the American govern
nent without discrimination and have
oeen applied with equal fairness to all
concerned. It cites instances OF VIOLA
tons by Germany and Great Britain
and asserts that protests have been UNI
hesitatingly entered regardless OF the
country offending.
Complaints Answered.
Complaints as summarized by Sena-
tor Stone are answered in the letter
point by point. substantially as fol-
,ows:
No. /. freedom Of communication
by submarine cables versus censored
communication by wireless" 1t Is set
forth, first, that a wireless station on
=, int
by belligerent but the latter has an
unrestricted right to cut a cable on the
high seas. Germany cutting the
British cable near Tanning Island Is
cited to balance Great Britain's inter-
ception Of the cable between Germany
and the United States. The point is
made that wireless messages can be
sent direct to warships at sea which
can prey upon public or private yes
sells and make neutral territory vir-
tually a base Of naval operations, Ito
permit which would be essentially I'M
neutral"
2. Censorship Of mails and in some
cases repeated destruction of Amer1-
can letters on neutral vessels" Ger
many and Great Britain, pursuing their
rights as belligerents both have cenS
sored private letters falling into their
hands. No evidence has ever been pre-
sented to the state department that
mail on board Dutch steamers has
been destroyed, as repeatedly charged.
Only few cases have come to the at
tention Of the department where mail
from neutral countries has not been
finally delivered.
Subject 70 Municipal Law.
8. Searching OF American vessels
,or German and Austrian subjects on
he high seas and in territorial wa
GERS OF a belligerent. Neutral vessels
Voluntarily entering territorial waters
or ports Of belligerent become SUBJ
Iect to, municipal laws. ~. Only two
cases in which American vessels have
been searched on the high seas by
belligerent warships for German and
Austrian subjects have been reported,
and both have been followed by vigor-
Jus representations to the OFFENDING
governments. Much confusion has
arisen, the letter asserts. over the
charge that the United States has
abandoned the principles for which this
country went to war in 1912. The
mpressment by the British navy Of
American seamen in times Of peace, 1t
is asserted, ''involves a different prin-'
.iple." from the search for reservists
in times of war, though the latter has
lot been permitted without protest.
4. Submission without protest to
British violations OF the rules regard
ing absolute and conditional contra
band as laid down In the Hague con-
,entions. the declaration of London
md international law-There Is no
general agreement between nations as
% articles to be regarded as contra
band, the rights of neutrals and bel
lgerents being opposed and no tribunal
existing ITO which questions OF differ
ence may be sumbitted."
:. "Acuuiescence without protest to
the inclusion of copper and other ar
ticles In the British lists Of absolute
,ontraband"-It is here stated that
every seizure of American copper has
been followed by prompt protest,
md that the inclusion of "unWrought
copper" In the list OF absolute contra
hand is under consideration, though
the government necessarily finds some
embarrassment In dealing with the
subject" because of declaration by
che United States in the past placing
all articles from which ammunition is
manufa ctured" on its contraband list,
including copper among such materials.
Other Points Answered.
6. Submission without protest to In
terfere with American trade to neu-
traI countries in conditional and alb
solute contraband.' History shows,
says the letter, that in every war the
superior naval power has interrupted
neutral commerce more or less, but
those who complain are referred to the
American note of protest Of Dec. rs,
atched to Great Britain.
I. Submission without protest to in
terruption Of trade in conditional con-
traband consigned to private persons
n Germany and Austria, thereby sup
porting the policy Of Great Britain to
cut of all supplies from Germany and
Austria Again. the letter calls at
IGNITION to the note Of Dec. rs to the
British government contending for
..the principles Of freedom OF trade in
article OF conditional contraband not
destined to the belligerent forces"
8. Submission to British interfen-
Z ence with trade in petroleum, rubber.
leather, wool, etc."-As petroleum can
be used in propelling submarines and
rubber is essential for big motors used
bv armies, the United States govern
rnent "has not yet reached the con-
.lusion that they are improperly In