Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-08

on the part of His Majesty's naval forces
and not as an excuse for or prelude to
any unlawful action. II the course pur-
sued by the present enemies OF Great
Britain should prove to be in fact faint
cd by illegality and disregard of the prln-
ciples of war sanctioned by enlightened
nations. IL can not be supposed, and this
government does not for a moment sup
pose, that His Majesty's government
would wish the same faint to attach to
their own actions or would cite such H.
legal acts as in any sense or degree a JUS
tihcation for similar practices on their
part In so far as they affect neutral
rights.
1T is thus that the government Of the
United States interprcts the language
Of the note OF His Majesty's principal
secretary OF state for foreign affairs
which accompanies the copy Of the r.
der in council which was handed to the
amba ssador OF the United States by the
government in London and by min trans
mitted To- Washington
GRATIFIcATION EXPRESSED
This government notes with gratinca-
ton that wide discretion Is afforded to
the prize court In dealing with the trade
of neutrals in such manner as may In the
circumstances be deemed Just, and that
full provision Is made to facilitate
claims by persons interested in any goods
placed In the custody OF the marshal OF
the prize court under the order that
the effect of the orde: in council IS to
confer certain powers upon the cxecu-
tive officers Of Ills Majesty's govern
ment.' and that the extent to which these
powers will be actually exercised and
the degree of severity with which the
measures of blockade authorized will Ne
put into operation are matters which will
depend on the administrative orders is
sued by the government and the decisions
Of the authorities especially charged with
the duty of dealing with individual ships
and cargoes according to merits OF ca IN
case This government further notes with
equal satisfaction the declaration OF the
British government that the instructions
to be issued by His Nljesty's govern
ment to the fleet and to the customs Off
Gals and executive committees con-
cerned will impress upon them tho duty
# acting with the utmost despatch con-
sistent with the object in view and Of
showing i'll every case such considera-
ton for neitrals as may be compatible
with that object which is. succinctly
stated, to establish a blockade to pre-
vent vessels from carrying goods for or
coming from Germany.
WHAT THE L. s. EXPECTS
Tn view of these assurances formally
given to this government it is confidently
expected that the extensive powers con-
fcrred by the order in council on the
.at,t 1.-Two. C Ia,
restricted by orders issued by the gov
eminent directing the exercise of their
discretionary powers in such manner
as to modify in practical application
those provisions Of the order in council.
which. If strictly enforced. would violate
neutral rights and interrupt legitimate
trade. Relying on the faithful perform
ancc of these voluntary assurances by His
Majcstys government. the United States
takes it for granted that the approach Of
American merchantmen to neutral ports
situated upon the long line of coast af-
fected by the order in council will not be
, interfered with when it Is known that
they do not carry goods which are con-
traband Of war or goods destined to or
, proceeding from ports within the bellig-
erent territory affected.
SCANDINAVIAN PORTS FREE.
The government Of the United states
assumes with the greatest confidence that
His Ma osty's government will thus adj
just their practice to the recognized rules
of international law because it is manifest
that the British government have
adopted an extraordinary method of
stopping cargoes destined for or coming
! no ytrl,i 10
to tho existence OF unusual conditions in
modern warfare at sea, it will be difficult,
to restrict to the limits which have
been heretofore required by the law OF
| nations. Though the area Of operations
is confined to European waters incud-
ing the Mediterranean, so great an area
of the high seas is G Vercd and tho
Gordon Of ships is SO distant from the
territory affected that neutral vessels
, must necessarily pass through the
blockadng force in order 10 reach i'm.
rortant neutral ports which Great Britain
as belligerent has not II" legal rSh,
to blockade and which, therefore, 1t Is
presumed she has no intent ion OF claim
ing to blockade. Tho SCardina Wan anC
Danish ports. for example. are open t.
American trade They arc also free, sc
far as the actual enforcement Of tho or
der in council is concerned. to carry or
trade with German Baltic ports. al
| though II is an essential element oi
| blockade that it bear with equal severit,
! upon all noutrals.
| This government therefore. infers that
| the commanders OF His Majesty's ships
! Of war engaged in MAJ ntaining the so.
called blockade will he Instructed &c
/ avoid an enforcement Of the proposed
measures of nCn-intercourse in such z
way as to impose restrictions upon neu
trial trade more burGensome that thos,
which have been regarded as inevitabl,
when the ports of a helligercnt are &C
tually blockaded by the ships Of 1t.
enemy.
TRADE INTERRUPTIONS POSSIBLE
/ THE possibilities OF serious Interrupt
tion Of American trIde under the orde
in council are so mony, and the method!
proposed are So unu sual and seem liabl,
to constitute so gre;,t an impeachment anC
| embarrassment to neutral commerce tina
the government of the United States, /
the order in council is strictly enforced
apprchends many interferences with IT.