Evening star., 1915-03-23
BLOCKADE PROTEST
NOT YET IN SHAPE
President Declines to Give
Any Intimation Of 0ocu-
ment's Character.
FURTHER FOOD MEDIATION
WILL NOT BE OFFERED
Wilson Says Offer of United States
to Germany and England Mere
ly Informal Suggestion.

lean governments reply to the declara-
ton by Great Britain and France of an
embargo on commercial intercourse he
tween Germany and neutral countries was
not yet ready. At the same time he de-
clined TO give any intimation of its char
acter. because the document had not been
finally put into definite shape.
1t was made clear at the White House
that there will be no further correspond
ence with Germany or Great Britain on
obtaining an agreement with reference to
foodstuffs and the submarine blockade.
The President pointed out to callers
today that the American governments
suggestions were entirely informal
that the United States. of course. had
no right to ask the two beiligerents
to agree to anything as between them
selves. but thought as moral obliga-
tion II should suggest the means by
which Germany and Great Britain
could come into an agreement II they
desired on those maritime questions.
Count Won Bernstorff. the German
ambassador. when at the State Depart
ment today was asked about the Brit
ish blockade of Germany. He replied: 2:
Paper blockade are never as ef-
fective as real blockades."
That the attitude of the United
States would be the same as that held
during the civil war on the subject of
blockade was indicated by some Off
ciais. who suggested that since the
recent exchange of notes with Great
Britain there had been a popular mis-
conception as to the position of the
Washington government in 1863.
Two Cases Cited.
1t was said that the attitude of the
United States on the doctrine of con
tinuous voyage" had been best ex-
pressed in the cases of the Springbok
and the Peterhoff. two English ves-
sells captured and taken into prize
courts.
The Sprngbok was captured while
enroute from England to British
port in the Bahamas. She was laden
with gunpowder and army supplies;
The Supreme Court Of the Inlted
States, to which the case was appealed,
the vessel was the Confederate states
and the fact that the vessel was to
call at the Bahamas did not alter the
continuity Of her voyage. The court
demned and that vessels which could
be proved to be intending to violate
blockade could be intercepted at any
stage in their journey.
Released the Ship.
In the case of the PeterhoH ana
others. known as the "Matamoras
cases." however, a ruling was made on
an entirely different set of ciTcum-
stances, constituting. in the view of Of
ficials here, almost an exact parallel
with the situation today with respect
to commerce between the United States
and Holland or other countries contls-
uous to those a war.
The Peterhoff was captured while en-
route from England to Matamoras.
Mexico. and her cargo condemned by
prize court.
When appealed to the Supreme Court,
Chief Justice Chase ruled that the
mouth of the Rio Grande was not in
cluded in the blockade of the ports of
the rebel states. and that neutral conf
merce with Matamoras, except i'll con-
traband, was entirely free
The Chief Justice held that neutral
by inland navigation or transporta-
ton is lawful, and therefore, that
trade between London and Matamoras.
even with intent TO supply, from Mat
amoras, goods to Texas, violated no
blockade and cannot be declared un-
lawful"
Precedent in This Case.
This position, officials indicated.
might be referred to in the forthcom-
ing American communication to Great
Britain and France. who have declared.
through the order in council. their in
tenton of OBTAINING "all commerce."
whether in contra band or non-contra-
band.