The Washington herald., 1915-04-06

The protest of this government against thu
British order-n-councf establishing a virtua
blockade of neutral as we'll as German ports vii
quite meet the expectations of thoughtful per
sons who have given any study to condition.
and to progress of events affecting the world:
commerce arising from the European war. Scarcely
any one has been misled by sensational so-callet
forecasts of this governments note. To have gver
them credence would have been to assume that tht
President and his advisers had lost the admirabl.
equilibrium that has distinguished their diplomac,
ever since the began to present to them trying
problems in rapid succession.
The protest-if it may be called a protest.
made public today presents the case of this gov.
eminent SO calmly clearly and completely that il
is bound to demand respect and receive the mos,
serious consideration in the British foreign Office
Nothing of 6rmness is sacrificed to the extremely
friendly tone of the note; though matter of
fact it appears from the note that up to the time
it was written this government had not been given
a single specific cause for complaint.
The note, in making its only direct demand,
sets forth:
1.-THE possibilities of serious interruption Of
American trade under the order-in-council are so
many, and the methods proposed are SO unusual
and seem liable to constitute so great an lmped-
mcnt and embarrassment to neutral commerce
that the government of the United States, if the
order- n-council is strictly enforced. apprchends
many interferences with its legitimate trade which
will impose upon his majesty's government heavy
responsibilities for acts OF the British authorities
clearly subversive Of the rights of neutral nations
on the high 1t is, therefore, expected that
his majesty's government having considered these
possibilities will take the steps necessary to avoid
them. and. in the event that they should unhappily
occur will be prepared to make full reparaton for
every act which under the rules of International
law constitutes a violation of neutral rights.
One point, in a measure ignored in previous
public discussions Of the blockade. is strongly
This government expresses its keen
qualification because the British order-in-council
gives wide discretion to the prize court in dealing
with the trade of neutrals, and also confers
certain powers upon executive officers 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 be put
INTO operation are matters which will depend on
he administrative orders issued by the govern
nent and the decisions of the authorities especially
;harged with the duty Of dealing with individual
hips and cargoes according to the merits of each
,asc" The emphasis placed upon these points |
hould serve to remove any impression that Great
Britain purposes absolutely to prohibit neutral
commerce. This government makes clear its I'M
Outstanding that the purpose is primarily and
principally to Establish blockade to prevent
ressels from carrying goods for coming
rom Germany"
The United States note approaches delicate
round when it undertakes to extricate the British
government from position making retaliation the
xcusc for its unprecedented course. 1t states:
The government of the United States notes that
n the order-n-counc his 1nacsty's government
i've their reason for entering upon course OF
ction which they is without precedent
modern warfare, the necessity they conceive
themselves TO have been placed under to retaliate
pom their enemies for measures of similar ma
Ire which the latter have announced as their in
,ntion to adopt and which they have to some ex-
mt adopted; but the government of the United
tates, recalling the principles upon which his
ajestys government have hitherto been scrupu-
JUS to act interprets this as merely reason Tor
,rtain extraordinary activities the part of his
aiestys naval forces and not excuse for or
-eude to any unlawful action. If the course pur
led by the present enemies OF Great Britain
lould prove to be in fact tainted by egality and
sregard of the principles OF war sanctioned by
nations, it can not be supposed, and $
lis government does not for moment suppose l
lat his majcsty's government would wish the
me faint to attach to their own actions or would
tc such illegal acts as in any sense or degree c
stiiicaton for similar practices their part in II
far they affect neutral rights. c
Here perhaps is the nearest approach to a de- I
.rturc from neutrality in expression that has yet
,peared in a diplomatic communication from 8
rashington. The reference to the faint of a
cgality" will not be rclished in Germany. il
Great Britain will not find the road easy to J
quiescence or reputation of the following con-
lent assumption on the part of this government: Il
1t is confidently assumed that his majesty's h
,vernment will not deny that it is rule sane 6
oned by general practice that, even though a o
ockade should exist and the doctrine Of con- 1,
aband as to unblockaded territory be rigidly en-
reed, innocent shipments may be freely trans h
rted to and from the United States through neu- 81
al countries to beligerent territory without being
bject to the penalties of contraband traffic or
each OF blockade, much less to detention, requis-
,n or conhscation.
In the whole communication, however, there is o
suggestion of anything approaching serious I.
ction between the two governments. A broad
sis of adjustment is plainly revealed and it will
doubt be readily accomplished. b.
" b.
al
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