Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-01

OF articles when bound 10 neutral
ports,
Articles listed az absolute contra
band, shipped from the United states
and consigned 10 neutral countries,
have been seized and detained on the
ground that the countries TO which
they were destined hive not prohibit
ed the expectation nf such articles.
Enwarrantcd as such attentions are.
in the opinion ~ this government.
American exporters are further per-
plcxed by the apparent indeeisiop Of
the British authorities in appiping
their own rules 10 neutral careoes
For example. d shipment Of copper
from this country 10 "a specified con
slgnee In Sweden WIS detained be-.
cause. rs was stated by Great Britain.
sweden had placed an embargo on
copper on the ether hand Italy not
only prohibited tho export Of copper,
hut az this government b. Informed,
put 10 force a decree that shipments
To Italian canslgnees or 70 order, |
which arrive IN ports Of Italy. cannot |
be exported or ttunsshippedi
Regarding Copper Shipments.
The only expectation Italy makes 7
t. Of copper which passes through
hat country IN transit to another (
country In spite Of these dcoreos.
however the British foreign office
has thus far declined 10 affirm that
copper shipments consigned 70 Italy
VIII not be molested on the high
seas, seizures are 80 numerous and
delays 40 prolonged that exporters
ara afraid 10 send their copper TO
Italy, steamship lines decline to ace
eept Il, aud insurers refuse to issue
policies upon II. In word, legiti-
mate trade Is being greatly impaired
through uncertainty as to the treat
ment which il may expect at the
hands OF the British authorities
WE feel that we are absolutely
justified In asking for Information as
20 the manner IN which the British
government proposes 60 carry out the
policy which they havo adopted. in
order that we may determine the (
steps necessary TO protect our citi- 4
zens. engaged IN foreign trade, in /
their rights and from the serious ,
losses 10 which they are liable through
Ignorance Of the hazards 10 which !
Their c0feoes are exposed.
In the case Of conditional contra
bnnd the policy Of Great Britain ape C
pears 60 this government to be equal d
" nniustified by the established rules Il
at International conduct As evidence
o. THIS attention - directed TO the il
fact that a number Oi American car
goes which have been seized, consist :
Of foodstums and other articles Of
common use in all countries which
are admittedly relative oontrahand
seizures Without Ground.
I'm spite Of the presumption Of In
nocent use because destined 20 neu-
trail territory, the British authorities
made these sezllres and detentlons
without, SO far ms We are informed
being In possession Of facts which
warranted a reasonable belief that
the cargoes had IN reality beligor-
ent destination az that term is used
In international law Mere suspicion
Is not evidence and doubts should be
resolved In favor % neutral COM
lnerce, not against II, The effect upon
trade In these articles between neu-
trail nations resulting from interrupt
I'd voyages and detained eurgoes is e.
not entirely cured by reimbursement q
" the owners for the damages which I'll
hey have suffered after Investigation n,
has failed to establish an enomy des-
ination, -
The injury Is 60 American COM r.
mcrce with neutral countries as a n
Whole. through the hazard OF the en- al
erprse and the repeated diversion of =,
goods from established markets. \,
IT also appears That careoes OF IA
his character have heen seized by
he British authorities because OF ~
relief that, thoufh not originally SO ~
Intended by the shippers they will 80
Ultimately reach the territory Of the ~
nomies of Great Britain Yet this Ia
ielief IA frequently reduced to a mere -
ear IN view 81 the ombargoes which a.,
nave been doereed by the neutral ~
Countries, to which they are destined. ar
~ the articles composing the curgoes ~,
Contrary 90 English Doctrine. 60
"Thnt a CONSIGNMENT 10 order, Of ag
rsicles listed as conditional contra tw
and aud shipped % neutral port tei
aisus legal presumption Of enemy
anhenfs to he directly con- G.
fary 70 the doctrlnes previously held
" ireui Britain aud thus stated hy
ord salisbury durlnp the South AfH-
an war eel
'Fuudstun8 though having "a hos fio
lie destination. can he considered as eo
of wnr only II they are Xa
or the enemy forces. II is not SUI be
Client that they are capable of being Al
o used Il must be shown that this We
vas In fact thoir destination at the sta
ime Of their seizure
with this statement as to eunhi- TAI
Iennl ountraband the Views Of this W.
government are In entire accord and
pom this historic doctrine, consist
ntly maintained hy Great Britain
hen helllgerrnt az well 40 nou-
Hal American shippers were entitled
; rely
THE government OF the United ~
tates readily admits the fun right IA,
I hclligerent 10 visit and search "a,
n the high seas the Vessels OF Ameri- sn
an citizens or other neutral vessels Nh
arriving American goods and 70 de- M
in them when there Is sufficient of
violence tn Justify belief that con- On,
'ahnnd articles are ia their cargnes,
at his maiestNs government Judging N,
! their own eNperienee.in the past
lnst rculire that his government
lnnot without protest permit Ameri-
~ ships ar American cargoes to be ~,
ken INTO British ports and thorc de- vh
tined tor the purpose of searching nvou
anerdlly for evidence of contmhand, Vim
6 upnn presumptiuns created by spe- ~,
al measures which are clearly at
iriance with international law and La,
racuce. Xxx
Hopes for Adjustment. nI
Rails government believes and AZ,
lrncslly hopes his mahetyh gov MT
'nmpnt viii rome "a the munc he It,
&C. thu ia poutse of conduct more nta
conformity with the rules Of inter- b,,,,
ltional usage which Great Britain M,
as strongly sanctioned for MANY ,h'
sats. Will in the end better serve the 40