Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-06

and cargoes. according to the merits OF
each case" This government further
notes with equal satisfaction the decla-
ration Of the British government that
the instructions to be issued by His
Majcsty's government TO the fleet and
TO the customs officials and executive
committees concerned will impress
upon them the duty of acting with the
utmost dispatch consistent with the
, object i'll view. and OF showing I'm every
case such consideration for ncutrals as
may be compatible with that object.
which is. succinctly stated, to establish
Dlockade to prevent vessels from
carrying goods for or coming from Ger
many"
IN view OF these assurances formally
given to this government, IL is conf
dcntly expected that the extensive pow
ers conferred by the order in council on
inc executive officers Of the crown will
be restricted by "ordcrs issued by the
government" directing the exercise of
their discretionary powers in such a
manner as to modify In practical appli-
cation those provisions OF the order in
, council which, if strictly enforced
would violate neutral rights and inter-
rupt legitimate trade. Relying on the
iaithiul performance of these voluntary
assurances by His Majcsty's govern
ment the United States takes il Cor
granted that the approach OF American
merchantmen To neutral ports situated
upon the long line OF coast affected by
the order in council will not be inter-
Tered with. when il is known that they
10 not carry goods which are contra
band OF war. or goods destined TO or
proceeding from ports within the
belligerent territory affected
ASSUMES OBSEnysSCE
OF RECOGNIZED RULES
Thc government of tho United states
assumes with the greatest confidence
mat His Majesty's government Will
mus adjust their practice TO tho rec
ogniacd rules OF international law. be-
cause 1t is manifest that tho British
government have adopted an cxtrnor-
binary method OF stopping carpOes
destined Tor or coming from the enc
Hly's territory which. owing to the
existence of unusual conditions in mod
crn warfare ut sea. it will be dfficult
To restrict TO the limits which have
been heretofore required by the law OF
nations Though the area OF opera
IONS Is confined To European water, in
GLIDING the Mcditcrrancan' so preat
an area OF the high seas is covered
ana the Gordon OF ships is so distant
from the territory affected that neutral
vessels must necessarily pass through
Tue blockading force in order to reach
liritatn. az bclliRcrcnt, has not the
legal right TO blockade, and which.
therefore. II Is presumed she has no
intention of claiming to blockade
fhe scandinavian and Danish ports
FOR example, are open to American
trade They also are free. so far as the
actual enforcement of the order I'm
conncil Is concerned, 10 carry on trade
with German Baltic ports, although IL
~ an essential element OF blockade
all neutrals.
This government. therefore, infers
mat the commanders OF His Majesty's
SHIPS or war engaged in maintaining
me so-called blockade will be instruct
ed 10 avoid an enforcement OF tho pro-
posed measures or nonintercouse in
| such way as to impose restrictions
upon neutral trade more burdonsome
thnh those which have been regarded
as inevitable when the ports OF bel
hEcrent are actually blockaded by the
ships Of its enemy.
The possibilities OF serious inter
ruption OF American trade under the
"f"ef IN council are 40 many and tho
methods proposed are so unusual and
seem liable TO constitute so great an
impeachment and embarrassment to neu.
'Eal commerce that the United States il
me order I'm council liz strictly enforced
/ apprchcnds many intcrferenccs with its
ieGitimate trade. which will impose
upon MS MaJestN's government heavy
responsibilities for acts OF the BritialI
authorities. clearly subversive OF the
rights OF neutral nations on the high
seas. IL is, therefore, expected that His
Ma)sStNS government, having consid-
cred these possibilities. will take tho
steps necessary TO avoid them and i'm
inc event that they should unhappily
occur VIII ne prepared to make full
| PREPARATION for every act. which. under
the rules of international law. consti-
tutes violation OF neutral rights
RESERVES RIGHT TO ENTER
PROTEST on DEMAND
AS stated in Its communication OF
october 22, 1914. this government will
insist that the rights and duties of the
United states and its citizens In the
present var I've defined by the existing
Iu'cS OF international law and the trea-
tics OF the United Statca. irrcspcctiye of
the provisions of the Declaration OF
! London, and that this government re-
serves 70 itself the right to enter n
protest or demand IN each case i'm which
I thosa rights and dutics so defined arc
| violated or their free exercise inter
ierred with by the authorities of the
british government
IN conciusion. YOU will reiterate to
ms AnJcstys government that this
statement of the government Of tba
! United states is adopted in n friendly
/ spirit, ana In accordance with the uni
! form candor which has characterized
I the relations of tho two governments in
/ the past, and which has been I'm large
measure the foundation of the prncr
and amity associating between the two
| nhtions without interruption for 81 CEN
! fury.
tsigned) BRYAN"
NOTE WAS IRA SSMITTED
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