The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-04-14
NOTE to ENGLAND
UNITED STATES OBJECTS TO
BLOCKADING METHODS.

BLOCkADING METHODS.
NEUTBALS Have Fights
Hope is Expressed That There VIII
be no Trouble-Reparation Expect
ed if Neutral Commerce Suffers
Attitude of Neutrality Explained
Blockading Methods Discussed.
The United States government has
made public its note to Great Britain
announcing that it could not ad-
NIT either the right Of the allies or
their claims for justification in plac-
ing an embargo on all commercial
intercourse between Germany and
neutral countries.
ITO admit it," says the communi-
cation, would be to assume an attl-
tude of unneutrality toward the pres
ent enemies of Great Britain, which
obviously would be inconsistent with
the solemn obligation of this govern
ment in the present circumstances
and for Great Britain to make such
claim would be for her to abandon
and set at naught the principles for
which she constantly and earnestly
has contended il other times and cir
cumstances.
The note r.views at length the
legal phases of a blockade of bellig-
erent territory and virtual blockade
of neutral coasts. In conclusion the
United States states its expectation
that Great Britain, after having con-
sidered "tho possibilities Of serious
interruption of American trade" un-
der the order in council, will take
the steps necessary to avoid them,
and in the event that they should un-
happily occur VIII be prepared to
make full reparation for every act
which under the rules of internation-
al law constitutes violation OF neu-
tral rights"
Uncle Sans Interpretation.
The American communication in
terprets the circumstances under
which Great Britain claims to be JUS
tilted in adopting retaliatory meas
| ures towards her enemies "as merely
a reason for certain extraordinary &C
tivities" by her naval forces "and
| not an excu.e for prelude to any
lawful action"
eff the course Of the present enc
mics Of Great Britain" the note
adds, should prove in fact to be
tainted by illegality and disregard OF
the principles Of war sanctioned by
enlightened nations, it can not be
supposed, and this government does
not for a moment suppose, that his
Majesty'c government would wish the
same taint to attach to their own &C.
tons"
Ambassador Sharp at Paris was in.
structed to present q copy OF the
American note to Great Britain to the
French foreign Office with the state
nent that, although the French ad-
miralty decree had not been received
officially in Washington, it was un.
| derstood to be identical with the Brit
| ish order in council and tie Ameri.
| can government, therefore, made
similar reply.
Text of American Note.
"You are instructed to deliver the
following to his Majecty's govern
ment in reply to your Numbers 1,79i
and 1,79S, Of March: The govern
ment of the United States has giver
careful consideration to the subjects
treated in the British notes of March
13 and March Is, and to the Brit
ish order in council Of tie latter date
"Thece communications contain
| matters of grave importance to neu'
trail nations. They appear to menace
their rights Of trade and intercourse
not only with belligerents, but also
with one another. They call for frank
comment in order that misunder'
standings lnay be avoided. The gov
ernmenr of the United States deems
it it's duty, therefore, spreaking ir
the sincerest spirit Of friendrhip, tc
make its own views and position with
regard to them unmistakably clear.
| "The order in council of the 15tt
of March would conctitute, were lts
| 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.
! Nations Sovereignty.
tThis government takes it fol
granted that there can be no question
what these rights are. A nations
sovereignty over its own ships and
citizens under its own flag on the
high seas in time of peace is, o1
course, unlimited; and that sover-
eighty suffers no diminution in time
of war, except insofar as the practice
and consent of civilized nations has
limited it by the recognition Of GER
tain now clearly determined rights
which it is conceded may be eXercis-
| ed by nations which are at war.
"a belligerent nation has been con.
ceded the right of visit end search
and the right of capture and condem-
nation, if upon examination neutra1
| NSSSSl ID 1OUuo ~ US SuSdSCo LII
neutral service or to be carrying con-
traband of war intended for the enc
my's government or armed forces. II
has been conceded tie right to estab.
lish and maintain q blockade of IN
enemy's ports and coasts and to cap.
| ture and condemn any vessel taken
in trying to break the blockade.
Suspected Vessels.
''It is even conceded the right to
detain and take to its own ports for
| judicial examination all vessels which
it suspects for substantial reason to
be engaged in unneutral or contra
band service and to condemn them il
the suspicion is sustained. But such
rights, long clearly defined both in
doctrine and practice, have hitherto
been held to be only permissible ex-
ceptions to the principle of universal
equality of sovereignty on the high
seas as between belligerents and ma