The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-01-06
NOTE MADE PUBLIC.

FOUQSluuS, IL )uSu H<PluS q uOS-
tile destination, can 5e considered as ,
contraband of wsr only If they are
for the enemy forces. It is not sum-
cient that they are capable Of being |
so used; it must be shown that this
ras In fact their destination at the
time of heir seizure
with this statement as to condi-
tional contraband the views Of this
government are in entire accord, and
upon this historic doctrine, constant |
ly maintained by Great Britain when
q belligerent as well as a neutral,
American shippers were entitled to
rely. i
"The government OF the United
States readily admits the full right OF
a belligerent to visit and search on
the high seas the vessels Of Ameri-
can citizens or other neutral vessels
carrying American goods and to de-
tain them when there is sufficient evi-
dence to justify belief that contra
band articles are in their cargoes.
But his Majesty's government, tudg-
ing by their own experience in the
past, must realize that this govern
ment can not without protest permit
American ships or American cargoes
| to be taken into British ports and
there detained for the purpose OF
searching generally for evidence OF
contraband, or upon presumptions
created by special municipal enact
ments which are clearly at variance
with international law and practice.
This government believes, and
eanerstly hopes, his Majesty's gov
ernment will come to the same belief
that a course of conduct more in con-
formity with the rules Of interna-
tional usage, which Great Britain has
strongly sanctioned for many years,
will in the end better serve the inter-
ests of belligerents as well as those OF
neutrals
Effect on United States Commerce.
"Not only is the situation critical
one to the commercial interests OF
the United States, but many Of the
great industries Of this country are
suffering because their products are
denied long established markets in
European countries, which, though
neutral, are contiguous to the nations
at war. Producers and exporters,
steamship and insurance companies
are pressing, and not without reason,
for relief Fl ON the menace to trans
atlantic trade, which is gradually but
surely destroying their business and
threatening them with financial dis
aster.
"The government Of the United
States, still relying upon the deep
sense Of justice of the British nation,
which has been so often manifested
in the intercourse between the two
countries during so many years Of un-
interrupted friendship, expresses con-
fdently the hope that his Malesty's
government will realize the obstacles
and difficulties which their present
policy has placed in the way Of COM
merce between the United States and
| the neutral countries OF Europe, and
will instruct it's officials to refrain
from all unnecessary interference
with the freedom of trade between
nations which are sufferers, though
not participants in the present con-
flict, and will, in their treatment OF
neutral ships and cargoes, conform
more closely to those rules govern
ing the maritime relations between
belligerents and neutrals, which have
received the sanction of the civilized
world, and which Great Britain has,
in other wars, so strongly and sue
cessfuliy advocated.
"In conclusion 1t should be i'm
pressed upon his Majesty's govern
mnet that the present condition OF
American trade with the neutral
European countries is such that if It
does not improve, it may arouse
feeii. e contrary to that which has 80
long existed between the American
and British peoples. Already it Is
becoming more and more the subject
of public criticism and complaint.
There is an increasing belief, doubt
less not entirely unjustifed, that the
present British policy toward Ameri-
can trade is responsible for the de-
preston in certain industries, which
| depend upon European markets. The
attention Of the british government
is called to this possible result of
their present policy to show how
widespread the effect Is upon the in
dustrial life of the United States and
to emphasize the importance Of re-
moving the cause Of complaint"
Specific Cases Already Cited.
High officials said that specific
cases had not been enumerated in the
note because they had been dealt with
at considerable length separately in
correspondence covering a period Of
five months.
The British foreign office, 1t was
pointed out, therefore was familiar
with the detailed position Of the Unit
ed States in each case. 1t is quite
possible, however, that brief sum-
mary of some of the typical cases will
be made public in few days by the
state department.
Copies of the note were distributed
by members Of the diplomatic corps.
The communication for several days
has been almost the sole topic Of dis
cussion among diplomats of all coun-
tries.
The step awakened much enthus-
! iasm among some South Americans
1
diplomats, who think it paves the way
for a more vigorous interest in the
United States in proposals looking to
an assertion Of. the rights of neutrals.
Incidentally it was said that senti-
ment in favor of the proposal made
by Venezuela for a convocation Of
neutral nations to discuss contraband
was growing rapidly, and that it
would cause no surprise if one Of the
results of the American note is the
convening Of such a congress in
Washington.
Diplomats from neutral European
countries thought the correspondence
might develop a standard Of usage
that naturally would benefit all neu-
trails. At the British, French and
Russian embassies no statement was
made concerning the note.
The oply report which Ambassador
Do fo tnno of |