Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-18

unjustificd belliGerent action" Great
Britain that opportunities for
adequate compensation are offered in
the British prize courts. details of which
proceedings are given. ut is the com
mon experience of every war" con-
tinues the note, that neutrals whose
attempts to engage in suspicious trad
ing are frustrated by "A belligerent are
wont to have recourse to their govern
ment to urge that diplomatic remon-
stranc should he made oil their be-
half and that redress should be OBJ
tanned for them in this way. When an
effective mode of redress is open to
them in the courts of Il civilized country
by which they can obtain adequate
satisfaction for any INVASION of their
rights which is contrary to the law
of nations, the only curse which is
consistent with sound principle is that
they should be referred to that mode
Of redress and hat no diplomatic ac-
ton should Toe taken until their legal
remedies have been exhausted, and
they are in Il position to show prima
facie denial of justice"
The British government recalls that it
followed this course Will its own ships
during the American civil War and the
81 anish-Amcrican.
DEFINITIONS Ot SHIPS.
In connection with the subject of de-
tention. Ambassador Page is reminded
that he has nov been supplied by the
British foreign office with particulars
OF every ship under American Colors de-
tanned and of every shipment Of cargo
in which an American citizen appears
to be the party Interested; not only is
the fact of detention notified TO Your
ENcellency. but, SO far as is practicable,
the grounds upon which the vessel or
cargo has been detained are also conf
municatcd to you, a concession which
enables any 9, ted States citizen to take
steps at once to pr tect his interests"
Turning to the q, cstion OF conditional
c~ontraband ana foodstuffs. the note
says:
40 country mad maintained more
stoutly than Great Britain in modern
times the principle that a helligerent
should abstain from Interference with the
foodstuffs intended for the civil popula-
ton. The circumstances of the present
struggle are causing His %iajesty's gov
eminent some anxiety as to whether
the existing rules with regard to con-
!, ditional contTaband, Trained as they were
with the object OF protecting so far as
possible the supplies which were intend
ed for the civil population, are effective
for the purpose, or suitable to the condi-
lions present. The principles which
! have Indicated above is one which Ills
Majesty's government have constantly
had to uphold against the opposition OF
continental powers, In the absence OF
some certainty that the rule would be re-
spected by both parties to this conflict
we feel great doubt whether 1t should be
3 regarded as an established principle OF
international law"
I QUOTES BISMARCK.
J., Sir Edward then quotes Prince Bis
a marck's answer to the KEEL chambe
b, OF In 1s4i In connection witt
, the treatment of rice as contraband IL
the French-Chinese war:
I 1.-The measure in question:" Prince
Bismarck is quoted az saying. "ha.
for Its object the shortening of tn,
I war by increasing the difficulties o
the enemy and is "A i%ustihable step il
war if impartialiy enforced agains
a all neutral ships"
: The British note here remarks:
Ills Majesty's government Is dis
posed to think that the same view II
d still maintained by the German gov
eminent, Another circumstance whicl
I IL now coming to light that an elab
$ crate machinery has been organize,
+ by the enemy for supply of foodstuff
for the use of the German army from
e overseas. Unde these circumstance
G II would be absurd to give any dehnit
X pledge that in cases where the sup
u plies can be proved to be for the us
Of the enemy forces they should b
given complete immunity by the sim
8 pie expedient OF dispatching them I
an dscnt In n neutral port.
The reason for drawing this dislinc