Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-30
BRITISH NOTE WILL
DEFEND BLOCKADE
New Communication to Seek ia
Justify Right to Tie Up Trade at
Point Supplying Foe.
CIVIL WAR PREcEDENrs CITED

LONDON. July 2s.--The new
British note 10 the United States in
the course of preparation will be an
application of the original Amer
lean contraband note which arrived
in Washington, Monday. II will take
up questions which have arisen
since the first note was drafted.
Right 20 blockade Neutral Port.
| WASHINGTON. July zs.-Defense OF
the right OF belligerent TO blockade a
neutral port through which an enemy il
receiving supplies or attempting to mar
ket It's own products Is the chief argu-
ment TO be made In the supplemental
note Great Britain IL preparing in reply
to the American protest against the en-
forcement of the orders-in-council. The
original note received last Monday has
been withheld from publication at the re-
quest OF Sir Edward Grey. British for
eign minister, pending the arrival OF the
supplemental communication which 10
expected within a week.
All other issues than that Of the
blockade Of neutral ports. II is learned.
will be regarded by the British govern
ment as subsidiary and proper for later
discussion. Upon recognition by neutral
governments OF the principle from the
British viewpoint depends the ability Of
belligerent. which has otherwise estab-
iished control OF the seas. to profit by
the enormous expenditure and sacrifice
which made possible the control. The
matter is aii-important IN the British
view
Tive Developments Taken Up.
Two developments not discussed in the
original note viii be taken up in the sup
Elemental communication. One n the
American caveat OF July II conveying
the notification that the United States
government would not recognise orders
in-council az a, substitute for the pro- |
visions Of international law.
The second point arose In connection |
with the enforced unloading on the Lon |
don docks Of the cargo Of the American
steamer Neches. June "a. The ship was
en- route from Rotterdam to New York |
with cargo OF non-contraband, mostly |
OF German and Belgian origin. II in-f
cluded several thousand prayer books, |
rabbit skins. drugs ana even some cotton |
The British government asserted the |
right under It's blockade Of Germany ana /
that part OF Belgium at present under
German control to prevent any goods
from being exported. the sale OF which
might aid the enemy financially
Because the principal British argu-
ment is directed TO that phase Of the
right OF blockade which affects goods
sought to be introduced into an enemy's
country, It 10 believed that the British
foreign office felt II necessary to supple-
ment the original note by an argument
extending the claim to cover the case
OF goods exported from the enemy coun-
try through q neutral port
Civil War Precedents.
civll war presidents In regard to the
right OF blockade forms the chief basis
OF the British argument. attention being
especially called TO the famoun Spring
bok' case before the United states su-
preme court developing the Continuous
voyage" theory. Though this doctrine,
which, Il IL asserted. justlfies a beIi-
serent In biockadins q neutral port, was
strongly resisted by European nations.
the fact that II was finally accepted in
It's entirety by the Alabama claims
arbitration was sufficient TO make Il an
enduring principle OF international law.
according 10 the British view. There
fore the order-ln-council, which Is be-
lieved by Britlsh officials to be entirely
In accord with that theory viii be applied.
although with due difference 70 the pro- |
lection OF legitimate neutral trade.
incidentally II is contended by Great
Britain In ita Communication that the
execution Of these orders-in-council 20 /
Tar has not resulted In any damage 70 |
American trade. According to the
British view that trade has waxed enor- /
mousiy large since the beginning OF the |
war. American treasury figures showing /
an increase OF aooOOo,O0o In exports dur |
ing eleven months. while the American |
ocean freight has grown BY $4,000 tons.
Increase OF Ezparts.
Significant a. Indicating the amount Of /
American goods entering Germany and I
Austria attention Is directed 10 official |
statements that the exports OF the United |
States 10 he Netherlands have Increased
from Ss.oo0.ooo to si22OOo.OOo; to Sweden |
from ti2,oooo0o 20 s7i.OoO.oOO: to Norway
from 100000 TO $4,000 and 70 Den |
mark from ti2oCooeo 70 s7oOoO.0eo That |
America received a fair supply OF goods |
from Germany Notwithstanding the war. /
is shown. the British government claims
by the fact that In eight months the i'm
ports from that country 10 the United |
States aggregated Ss6,0oo.000 and Il Is
also noted that the import Of dye stuffs !
from Germany was greater than the pre- |
vioua year.