El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-11-08


not subject to the stamp tax
ropcsn ports. IF British exports to
those ports should be still further in
creased 10 rs obvious that under the
rule Of evidence couteuded for by
British government the presumption OF
enemy destination could be applied TO
a greater number Of American cargoeS,
and American trade would suffer to the
extent that British trade benefited by
the increased. Great Britain cannot.
expect the United States to submit 10
such manifest injustice or to permit the
rights of its citizens to be so seriously
impaired
VIII Sell 20 NeutraIs.
GD-WhaIever may he the con-
jectural conclusions drawn from trade
statistics the United States maintains
the right TO sell goods into the general
stock Of a neutral country, ana de
uouuces as illegal and unlustifiable any
attempt OF a belliserent TO interfere
with that right on the ground that II
suspects that the previous supply or
such goods in the neutral country
which the imports renew or replace
has been sold to an enemy That IS a
matter with which the neutral vendor
has no concern and which can In no
way affect his rights Of trade. More
over. even If goods listed as conditional
contraband are destined to an enemy
country through q neutral country, that
fact is not in itself sufficient TO justify
their seizure"
4. =. Contests Seizures on suspicion.
G5l-In view Of these cousiderat tons,
the United states announces tnal ~
has no other course but contest
seizures OF vessels at sea upon conjec-
tural suspicion and the practice OF
bringing them into port for the purpose
by search or otherwise Of obtaining
evidence" and adds that relying upon
the regard OF the British government
for the principles Of justices so fire.
queutlv and uniformly manifested prior
to the present war this government an
ticipates that the British government
will instruct its officers TO refrain from
these vexatious and Illegal practices"
Blockade Is Intellectual.
G6l-Directing particular attention
to the so-called blockade measures,
imposed by the order in council Of
March II. the British note OF July %
last is cited to confirm the intention
TO esta biish a blockade" After over
six months application OF the block
ade order the note says. the expert
ence OF American citizens has con-
WINGED the government OF the United
states that Great Britain has been un-
successful in her efforts TO distinguish
between enemy ana neutral trade
GT-The practice Of recurring
cOnsiguor TO prove that his shipments
are not hound to an enemy OF Great
Britain even when articles are on the
embargo list Of the neutral country
70 which they are destined, is charac,
terized as "harassinG TO neutral
Traders
American Expectations disappointed.
GO-While the United States gov
eminent was az first inclined TO view
with leniency the British measures
which were termed in their cores
D pondence but not in the order in coun-
cU OF March II a blockade because OF
fl,. assurances Of the Britt n govern
mont that inconvenience to neutral
rade would be unlimited by the dis
D-ctiou left to the courts In the apph-
elton of the order in council and by
f-re instructions that fl was said would
l- issued to administrative and other
an horities having to do with the exc
. rution Of the so-cailed blockade mea-
3 cures this government IS now forced
3 10 the realization that its expectations.
which were fully set forth in its note
of March 80. were based on a miscon-
CeptiOu OF the intentions OF the BRUSH
Desiring to avoid controversy and
i'm the expectation that administration
OF the order in council would conform
% the established rules Of interna-
tional law. this government has until
. now reserved the question Of she &C
. fual validity OF the order in council OF
D. March l. insofar as II Is considered by
tho government of Great Britain to es-
t-bIish blockade within the meaning
2 OF that term as understood in the law
. ard practices of nations. but in the cir
. cumstances now developed II feels that
3 Dc can no longer permit the validity of
the alleged blockade to remain IN
challenged"
Refers Again to blockade.
Gsb Pointing out that I'm accordance
with the Declaration Of Paris in 1886
the effectiveness OF a blockade is
'mauifcstly a question OF fact the
United states says IL is common
knowledge that the German coasts are
omen To trade with the Scandinavian
countries" The recent placing Of cot
ton ON the British cOntraband list is
ruuken Of as making II appear that
the British government themselves
have been forced TO the conclusion that
the blockade is ineffective to prevent
shipments of cotton from reaching the
enemies. or else that they are doubtful
as 20 the legality Of the form OF block
AIDE which they have sought to mah-
tain"
blockade Must BE Impartial
t2Ol Decisions are cited to show II
IS an essential principle, universally
irlDa rtially 20 the ships OF all nations.
and it is added that If belligerents
themselves trade with blockaded
ports" the principle in the past has
been that they cannot be regarded as
are referred to since il is a matter of
exports and re-expOrts large quantities
Denmark and Holland. whose ports. so
cerned. she regards as bloc l5aded-"
F'recedents Support L. :.
tel The principles of the laws OF
neutral ports in time of war. embodied
Of No. -ra Q Hsaa