The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-09
America Can Not Admit
Right World Blockade
Informs Great Briton That it Expects His Maestys
Government to See That Trade of United States With
Nernrals is Not to Be I1terfered With Urduly

wv dSIlnSlCu, April o-4 HS CA1I0O
States government today made public
its note to Great Britain announcing
that it could not admit either tie
right of the allies or their claims for
justification in placing an embargo on
all commercial intercourse between
Germany and neutral countries.
'fTo admit it, says the communica-
tion, would be to assume an attitude
of unneutrality towards the present
enemies of Great Britain, which OBJ
viously would be inconsistent with the
solemn obligation of this government
in the present circumstances and for
Great Britain to make such claim
would be for her to abandon and set
at naugnt the principle for which SIZE
constantly and earnestly has contend
ed in other times and circumstances. !"
The note reviews at length the legal
phrases Of a blockade of belligerent
territory and virtual blockade Of neu-
tral coasts.
In conclusion the United States
states it's expectation that Great Brit
ain, after having considered the ''pos-
sibilities of the serious interruption of
American trade" under the order in
council will take the steps necessary
to avoid them, and in the event that
they should unIhappily occur would be
prepared to make full reparation for
every act, which under the rules of
international law constitutes a viola
ton of neutral rights"
The American communication in
terprets the circumstances under
which Great Britain's claims to be JUS
titled in adopting retaliatory methods
towards her enemies as merely a rea-
son for certain extraordinary activi-
ties" by her naval forces "and not an
excuse for or q prelude to any unlaw-
full action"
'If the course of the present enemies
of Great Britain" the note adds,
SHOULD probe tie fact to be tainted by
illegally and disregard of the prin-
ciples of war sanctioned by enlignt-
ened nations, it can not be supposed
and this government does not for a
moment suppose t-at his majestys
government would wish the same taint
to attach to their own actions"
Ambassador Sharp, at Paris, was in
structed to present copy of the AM
erican note to the French foreign Of
fee, with the statement that although
the French admiralty decree had not
been received officially in Washington,
it was understood to be identical with
the British order in council and the
American government there made SIM
liar reply.
Note to Great Britain.
The text of tie note to Great Brit
ain follows:
''Tne secretary Of state to the Amer
lean ambassador at London:
washington, March 80, 1915.
"You are instructed to deliver the
following to his majesty's government
in reply to your Nos. 1895 to 1898 of
March:
''The government OF the United
States has given careful consideration
to the subjects treated in the British
notes of March Is and March Is and
to the British order in council of the
latter date.
'The communications contain mat
ters of grave importance to neutral
nations. They appear to menace their
rights of trade and intercourse not
only with belligerents, but also with
one another. They call for frank com
ment in order that misunderstanding
may be avoided. The government Of
the United States deems it its duty,
therefore, speaking in the sincerest
spirit of friendship, to make its own
view and position with regard to them
unmistakably clear.
"Tne order in council of tie 10Th
of March. would constitute, were its
provisions to be actually carried into
effect, as they stand, practical as
sertion of unlimited belligerent rights
over neutral commerce within the
whole European area, and an almost
unqualified denial of the sovereign
rights of the nations now at peace.
No Question of Rights.
''Tais government takes it for grant
ed that there can be no question what
their rights are. A nations sovereign
ty over it's own ships and citizens
under its own flag on the high seas in
time of peace is of course unlimited;