The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-25

on the high seas by belligerent war ships for German and Austrian sub jects have been reported. and both have been followed by vigorous representa- tions to the offending governments. Much confusion has arisen, the letter asserts, over the charge that the United States has abandoned the principles for which this country went to war in 1S1a. Tho impressment of American seamen by the British navy in times of peace, 1t
 Is asserted, involves 8 different prin- ciple,' from the search for reservists in times of war, though the latter has not been permitted without protest
 1. submission without protest 10 British violations of the rules regarding absolute and conditional contraband as
 laid down in The Hague conventions. the delaration of London and interna- tional law" There is no general agree ment between nations as to articles to be regarded as contraband, the rights Of neutral and belligerents being opposed and no tribunal existing ito which ques- tions of difference may be submitted" D "Acquiescence without protest to the inclusion Of copper and other articles in the British lists of absolute contra band" 1t is here stated that every seizure of American copper has been fol lowed by a prompt protest. and that che inclusion of ''unwrought copper in the lists of absolute contraband is under con sideration, though the government nee essarily finds some embarrassment in dealing with the subject" because of a declaration by the United States m the past placing "all articles from which ammunition is manufactured" on it's contraband list, including copper am ong such materials.
 | (. submission without protest to in- | terference with American trade to neu- | tral countries in conditional and abso- I lute contraband.' History shows says l the letter, that in every war the super l for naval power has interrupted neutral | commerce more or less. but those who | complain are referred to the American
 note of protest of December 26 dis patched to Great Britain.
 l z. submission without protest to in- terruption of trade in conditional con
 traband consigned to private persons in Germany and Austria, thereby support ing, the policy of Great Britain to cut | off all supplies from Germany and Aus tria." Again, the letter calls attention 1 to the note of December 26 to the Brit ish government contending for the | principle of freedom of trade in art- cles of conditional contraband not de- | stned to the belligerent forces" S. submission to British interference with trade in petroleum, rubber leather, wool. etc" As petroleum can be used in
 
 sential for big motors used by armies, the United States government has not yet reached the conclusion that they are improperly included in a list of con. traband."
 Has Not Interfered g. "Thc United States has not inter- fered with the sale to Great Britain and her allies of arms. ammunition, horses, uniforms, and other munitions of war although such sales prolong the con 1 flict."
 | No obligation, It is contended. exists either in international law or in the domestic law of the United States to prohibit private trade in these articles. In the past the present beligerents when neutrals maintained no such prohibition, fin fact 1t is only necessary to point to the enormous quantities of arms and am munitions furnished by manufacturers in Germany to the belligerents in the Russo Japanese war and In the recent Balkan wars to establish the general recognition of the propriety of the trade by neutral nation."
 10. "The United States has not sup