The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-09

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war Ii tie NECESSITIES Of the case
should seem to render it imperative
that the Gordon of blockadine vessels
i be extended across the approaches to
any neighboring neutral pert or coun-
try, it would seem clear that it would
still be easily practicable to comply
with the we'll recognized and reason
! able pro; ibition Of international law
against the blockading of neutral ports
by according free admission ana exit
to all lawful traffic with, neutral ports
through the blockading Gordon. This
traffic would, of course, include all
outward bound traffic from the neu-
tral country and all inward bound
traffic to the neutral country except
contraband in transit to the enemy.
Such procedure need not conflict III
any respect with tie rights of tie bel
ligerent maintaining the blockade,
since the right would remain with the
blockading vessels to visit and search
all ships either entering or leaving
tie neutral territory which they were
in fact but not of right investing.
No Wrong Intent.
"The government Of the United
States notes that in the order in coun-
Gil his majestys government give as
their reasons for entering upon
course of action which t:ey are aware
is without precedent in modern war
fare, the necessity they conceive them
selves to have been placed under to
retailate upon their enemies for meas
ures of similar nature which the
latter Lave announced as their inten-
| ton to adopt and which they nave to
some extent adopted; but tie govern
ment of the United States, recalling the
principles upon which his majesty's
government have hitherto been scru-
pulous to act, interprets this as merely
reason for certain activities On the
part of his majesty's naval forces and
not as an excuse for or prelude to any
unlawful action. If t1e course pur-
sued by the present enemies of Great
Britain should prove in fact tainted by
illegallity and disregard of t. princi-
pies of war sanctioned by enlightened
nations, it can not be supposed, and
this government does not for a mo-
ment suppose, that lis majesty's gov
ernment would wish the same taint
to attach to their own actions, Or
would cite sudA' illegal acts as in any
sense or degree justification for sim
liar practices on their part in so far
as they affect neutral rig is.
''It is thus that the government of
the United States interprets the Ian
guage of the note of his majesty's
principal secretary Of state for for
eign affairs which accompanies t e
copy of the order in council which was
handed to the ambassador of tie Unit
ed States government in London and
3y h m transmitted to Washington.
Chance for Redress.
TITS goy ernment notes with gratif-
cation that wide discretion is afforded
to the prize court in dealing with the
trade of neutrals in such manner as
may in the circumstances be deem d
just and that full provision is made to
facilitate claims by persons interested
in any goods placed in the custody OF
the marshal Of the prize court under
tie order; and the effect Of the order
in council is to confer certain powers
upon the executive officers of his ma
jesty's government; and that the ex-
tent to which the powers will be act
ually exercised and the degree Of Sc
verify WIN WHICH C-0 uedSuISo VI
blockade authorized will be put into
operation are matters which were dis
cussed in an administrative order is
sued by TIE government and the decis-
sion of the authorities especially
charged witt, the duty of dealing with
individual ships and cargoes accord
ing to the merits of each case. This
government notes further with equal
satisfaction the declaration of the Brit
ish government that tie instructions
to be issued by his majestys govern
ment to the fleet and to the customs
officials and executives concerned will
impress upon them the duty OF acting
with the utmost dispatch consistent
with tie object in view and of showing
in every case such consideration for
neutrals as may be compatible with