, 1915-02-20

Inv the American Government, regarding
Interference with American commerce., says
that only eight out of 993 ships from the
limited States for neutral ports in Europe
were sent Lefore the Prize Court, that is, the
United States Note was effective IN protect
ing its sea trade, The Note denies that the
depression in American industries is due to
the activity of the British fleet and suggests
the causes to be the shortage III shipping
facilities and the diminutlon III the cotton
trade. The shortage in shipping IS attrlbu-
ted to the destruction OF neutral vessels by
submnrine-mines indiscriminately laid by
the enemy on the high seas many miles from
the coast and in the track of merchant vessels.
Twenty-Five neutral vessels are reported
TO have been destroyed by mines on the
high seas. Apart from all question OF the
breach of Treaties and the destruction OF
life there is far more reason to protest
on the score Of belligerent interference
with innocent neutral trade, through
mines scattered by the enemy, than
through the British exercise of the right
of seizing contraband.
Dealing with the question Of foodstutfs, the
Note saws: "No country has maintained more
stoutlv than Great Britain the principle that
n belligerent should abstain from nterter-
ence with foodstuff4 for the civil population,
but the circumstances Of the present strug-
ole cause His Maiesty's Government anxiety
us to whether the existing rules with regard
to conditional coutraband intended for the
civil population are effective or suitable in
the present conditions, and in the uncer-
tainty whether the rule is respected by
both parties to this conflict the Government
doubts whether it should be regarded as an
established principle of international law.
The Note quotes Prince Bismarck an
swer to the KEEL Chamber of IN
1884, in connection with the treatment OF the
rule as to contraband in the Franco Chinese
war. The measure in question, according
to the Prince, has for its object the short
eniug of the war by increasing the diff
culties of the enemy, and is q %justiha-
bic step in war, if impartially enforced
against all neutral ships, and his Ma
iesty's Government thinks that the
same view is now maintained by the
German Government. II any country in
which there exists such a tremendous orga-
~nization for war rs now obtains i'll Germany,
there is no clear division between those
whom the Government il re ponsible for
feeding and those it is not, and experience
shows that the power to requisition supplies
will be used to the fullest extent in order to
make sure that the wants of the military are
supplied. and however much such goods are
imported for civil use, it is by the military
that they will be consumed if the military
exigencies require it, especially now that the
German Government has taken over the
control of all the foodstuffs in the coun-
try. 1t will still be Great Britain's
endeavour to avoid injury and loss to neu-
trails, but the announcement by the German
Government of it's intention to sink merchant
vessels and their cargoes without the verif-
cation of their nationality or character, and
without making any provision for the safety
of their non-combatant crews, or giving them
a chance of saving their lives, has made it
necessary for His Majesty's Government to
consider what measures they should adopt
to protect their interests. as it is impossible
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