The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-06

to he in fact tainted by Illegally ana
disregard of the principles OF war sane
toned by enlightened nations II cannot
be supported and this Government does
not for moment suppose that mis-
Majesty's Government would wish the
same faint to attach to their own ac-
lions or would cite such illegal acts
ms In any sense ar degree tustiflci-
ton for similar practices on their part
In so far AZ they AFFECT neutral rights.
The American interpretations.
IL, u thus that the Government ~
the United states intcrprcts the IAN
guage Of the note ~ his Majestys prn-
cipal Secretary OF State for Foreign
Affairs which accompanies the copy ~
the order In council which was handed
TO the Ambassador of the United Sta'es
near the Government In London and
by him transmitted TO Washington.
This Government notes with graft
fication that wide discretion In afford. Il
to the prize court In dealing with the
trade 81 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 order
In the council IL 10 confer certain
powers on the executive officers of his
Majesty's Government and that tn.
extent to which these powers will ne
actually exercised and the degree Of
severity with which the measures u
blockade authorized will be put into
, operation are matters which will de-
pend on the administrative orders is
sued by the Government and the de-
cIsions of the authorities charged with
the duty OF dealing with individual ships
and cargoes according 10 the merits
OF each case
This Government further notes with
equal satisfaction the declaration OF the
British Government that the instruc-
tons To- Ice issued by his Majesty's Gov
eminent to the fleet and to the customs
officials and executive committees con-
cerned will impress upon them the duty
OF acting with the utmost despatch con-
J sistent with the object In view and Of
showing in every case SUCH considera-
; iion for neutrals as may be compatible
! with that object which IL succinctly
I stated to establish a blockade to prevent
vessels from carrying goods for or com
! ing from Germany
I'm view Of these assurances formally
given to this Government II IL confidently
| expected that the extensive powers con-
! ferred by the order In council on the
! executive officers Of the crown will be
! 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 II strictly enforced would violate
neutral rights and interrupt legitimate
trade.
/ Relying on the faithful performance
| OF these voluntary assurances by his
/ Majesty's Government the United states
takes it for granted that the approach
| Of American merchantmen TO neutral
| ports situated on the long line of coast
affected by the order in council will not
he interfered with when II Is known
| that they do not carry goods which are
contraband OF war or goods destined
to or proceeding from ports within the
, belligerent territory affected.
THE Government OF the United States
assumes with the greater confidence
that his MaJesty's Government will thus
adjust their practice to the recognized
rules of international law because IL Ia
, manifest that the British Government
! have adopted AN extraordinary method
! Of stopping cargoes destined for or CON-
/ ing from the enen.ys territory which
! owing to the existence OF unusual CON
. ditions in modern warfare at sea II will
be difficult to restrict TO the limits which
have been heretofore required by the
law OF nations.
Wust uce
Though IN. area OF operations IL
confined to European waters, !nclhdlnr
the Mediterranean. 40 great an area al
the high seas is covered and the Gordon
OF ships IN so distant from the territory
affected that neutral vessels must neces-
sarily pass through the blockading force
in order to reach important neutral ports
which Great Britain as belligerent has
not the legal right to blockade and which
therefore II is presumed she has no in
tention OF claiming to blockade.
The scandinavian and Danish ports
for example are open 20 American trade
They are also free 80 far as the actua
enforcement of the order in council II
concerned to carry on trade with Ger
man Baltic ports. although IL ~ an es-
sential element OF blockade that II beai
with equal severity upon all neutrals.
This Government. therefore. infers
that the commanders OF his Majesty.
ships Of war engaged in mainta ming the
so-caled blockade will he instructed &c
avoid an enforcement, OF the proposed
measures OF non-interSourse in such q
way az 10 impose restrictions upon neu'
trail trade more burdensome than thos,
which have been regarded a. inevta Ol.
when the ports of belligerent ar.
actually blockaded by the ships OF ~
enemy.
THE possibilities OF serious inter
ruptlon OF American trade under the
| order in council are so many and th'
methods proposed are 20 unusual anc
/ seem liable to constitute 80 great an i'm
pediment and embarrassment TO neutra
! commerce that the Government OF tbs
United states IL the order in council |,