Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-08

WASHlNGTON. November THE
United states In its latest note to Great
Britain, made public here to-day. COW
crIur cxhaustively British interference
with American trade since the begin
ming OF the European war. declares
that the so-called blockade" insti-
,utcd by the allies arains, enemy coun-
tries on March II is ineffective, illegal
and indcfensIblc." Notice is served
that the American government can
not submit 10 the curtalmcnt of it's
neutral rights" and II cannot with
completeness suffer further subordina-
ton OF It's rights and interests"
Ambassador Page, to whom the note
was sent by special messenger for de-
livery TO the London Foreign Office,
was instructed by Secretary Lansing
TO Impress most earnestly" upon the
British government that the United
States must insist that the relations
between il and His Majcstys govern
ment be governed. not by "a policy of
eXpcdicncy, but by those established
rules OF international conduct 10 which
Great Britain in the past has held the
United states TO account when the
latter nation was a hcllirerent engaged
in a struggle for national existence"
Declaring the United States ''unheSi-
;atinrly assumes" the task OF cham
pioning the Integrity of neutral rights.
the note proclaims that the American
government will devote its energies to
the task. exercising always an i'm
partial attitude.
The note nearly 1900 words in
length was made public by agreement
between the State Department and the
British Foreign cnicc. II carries with
it "A voluminous appendix. giving the
text of American naval instructions
issued in 1862 and summary and table
showing hundreds Of vessels detained
by British authorities since the begin
ming of the present war.
SEPARATE: COMMUNICATION
on SUBJECT TO HE SENT
The body of the note is divided into
thrty-fve points. dealing with all
phases OF the contraband question
seizures and detcntions prior to, as
we'll as after, the so-called BLOCKADE"
was instituted. and announces that a
separate communication will he sent
: soon dealing particularly with the
"propriety and right of the British gov
crnment to include in their list OF con-
have been so included"
In conclusion, after an argument on
the law and facts Secretary Lansing
says:
"I believe it has been cOnclusively
shown that the methods sought to be
employed by Great Britain to obtain
and use evidence of enemy destination
of cargoeS bound for neutral ports and
to impose n contraband character upon
such carEocS are without justiflcation;
that the blockade, upon which such
methods are partly founded, is neffec-
tive, Illegal and indefensible; that the
judicial procedure offered as a means
OF rcparation for an international in
jury is inherently defective for the
purpose, and that in many cases juris-
diction is asserted in violation OF the
law of nations. The United States
therefore, cannot submit to the cur
tailment of it's neutral rights by these
measures. which are admittedly re-
tailatory. ana. therefore. illegal. in con-
ception and in nature, and intended to
punish the enemies OF Great Britain for
alleged illegalities on their part. The
United States might not be in a posi-
ton to object to them if it's interests
and the interests OF all ncutrals were
unaffected by them. but being affected
ii cannot with complacencc suffer fur
ther subordination OF It's rights and in
tcrests to the plea that the exceptional
geographic position OF the enemies OF
Great Britain require or Justify opprcs-
sivc and Illegal practices
The government of the United States
desires. therefore, to imprcss most
earnestly upon His Majcsty's govern
ment that IL must insist that the rela-
CONTINUED on Third Page)