Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-01

Washington. Jan. BY mutual agree
and the British foreign office the full
text of the note sent by the United
states to Great Britain, insisting on an
early Improvement in the treatment of
American commerce by the British
fleet was made public here last night.
The full text follows:
The secretary OF state 10 the Amer
lean ambassador at London. depart
ment OF state, Washington, ID. C.. Dec.
IS, 1914-The present condition OF
American foreign trade resulting from
the frequent seizures and detentions Oh
American cargoes destined TO neutral
European ports has become SO serious
as to require a candid statement oil
the views of this government IN or0er
that the British government may De
fully informed as to the attitude OF the
United States toward the policy which
has been pursued by the British author
tiles during the present war.
Most Friendly Spirit.
You will, therefore communicate the
following mis- majesty's principal sec
Rotary OF state for foreign affairs, bu;
in doing so youwill assure him that IL
is done in the most friendly spirit and
in the belief that franllness viii better
cerve the continuance of cordial rela-
lions between the two countries than
silence. which may be misconsTued
into acquiescence in a course of con-
duct which this government can not
but consider to be an infringement upon
the rights OF American citizens.
The government of the United States
has viewed with growing concern the
large number of vessels laden with
American goods destined TO neutral
ports in Europe. which has been been
seized on the high seas, taken into
British ports and detained sometimes
for weeks by the British authorities
During the early days of the war this
government assumed that the policy
adopted by the British government was
due TO the unexpected outbreak of hos
tilities and the necessity of immediate
action TO prevent contraband from
reaching the enemy.
Didn't Judge Harshly.
For this reason il was not disposed
TO judge this policy harshly or protest
Il vigorously. aitiio Ii Mas ruanifest!.y
very Injurious to American trade with
the neutral countries of Europe This
government. relying confidently upon
the high regard which Great Britain
has SO often exhibited in the past OF
the rights of other nations, confidently
awaited amendment Of a course of ac-
ton which denied to neutral commerce
the freedom to which il was entitled
by the law of nations
This expectation seemed 10 be ren
dered the more assured by the state
ment OF the foreign office early in No
VEN Der that the British government
was satisfied with guarantees offered
| by the Norwegian. Swedish and Danish
governments as to nom exporta tion o,
contraband goods when consigned te
named persons in the territories Of
! these governments, and that orders hat
! been given to the British fleet and Gus
/ ence with neutral vessels carrying sucl
! cargoes SO consigned to verifcation .,
| ships. papers and cargoes.
Conditions Not Bettered.
! 1t is, therefore, a matter Of deep re-
greL that, tho nearly I'VE months have
passed since the war began, the Brit
! ish government have not materially
changed their policy and do not treat
! less vigorously ships and carsoes pass
ing between neutral ports in the peace
full pursuit of lawful commerce, which
belligerents should protect rather tina r
! interrupt. The greater freedom from
! detention and seizure which was con
! fdently expected to result from CON
signing shipments to definite consign
awaited.
| 1t is needless 10 point out to his ma
| jesty's government, usually the cham
pion OF the freedom of the seas and the
rights of trade. that peace not war. is
the normal relation between nations
and that the commerce between coun.
| tries which are not belligerents shoult
not be interfered with by those at wal
unless such interference is manifest,
an imperative necessity to protect thei
national safety and then only TO tn
extent that ii is a necessity.
Exceeds Manifold Necessity.
1t is with no lack of appreciation o
the momentous nature of the presen
struggle, in which Great Britain is en-
gagged, and with no selfish desire Il
gain undue commercial advantage tina
this government is reluctantly forced u
the conclusion that the present polio!
iof his majesty's government towart
neutral ships and cargoes exceeds tn
manifest necessity OF belligerent an
constitutes restrictions upon the rights
o. American citizens on the high sea
which are not justified by the rules o
international lew or required under tn
principle of self preservation.
The government CO the United State
does not intend at this time to discus
the propriety of including certain ar
ticles in the lists of absolute and con
ditional contraband, which have beef
proclaimed by his majesty. Open t
objection as some of these seem to thi
government, the chief ground OF pres
ent complaint is the treatment of car
goes of both classes of articles whel
bound to neutral ports.
contraband Has Been Seized.
Articles listed as absolute contra
band, shipped from the United State
and consigned to neutral countrie.
have been seized and detained on tn
iground that the countries to which the
were destined have not prohibited tn
l expectation of such articles. UnwaI
ranted as such detentions are, in tn
J, opinion of this government, America
exporters are further perplexed by tn
: apparent indecision of the British au
thorities in applying their own rule
! to neutral cargoes. For example,
, shipment of copper from this countr
: to a specified consignee in Sweden wa
6 detained because as --.aaa stated
Great Britain, Sweden had placed n