Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-24
j. S. SOON TO SEND
NOTE TO ENGLAND
Will Call Attention to Violations
of international Law as Affect
ing American Commerce.
FREEDOM OF SEAS is ISSUE
Continued Oppression of Trade
Cannot Be Regarded Other
wise Than as Unfriendly.
FREEDOM OF SEAS is ISSUE
Especial to The Times Dispatch J

.
wASiIINGTON. July c3.-Thc publ-
cation by tho state Department this
afternoon OF the text OF the note to
Germany was Immediately followed by
. statements that the way had now been
cleared for tho launching OF an over
due note to Great Britain calling her
attention to violations OF international
law as affecting United States COM
mcrcc.
II is stated by an important official
that. as the violations OF law by Great
Britain have been persistent. notwith-
standing innumcrable protests. the note
Will remind that country That cont nued
oppression of American trade cannot
be regarded otherwise than as un-
friendly. This official. however. WAS
anxious To convey the idea that this
drastic note TO Great Dritain is not
the direct effect of ~ German sugges-
tion The attitude "f all officials is
that tho TWO cases are not related
although il is known that Germany
has been iusistcnt that Great Britain
bc held am.nable TO the same CON
st-uction OF International law as has
been applied 10 Germany by the prcsi-
dent on tho Freedom OF tho seas The
! freedom, Of the seas is at the bottom OF
the whole controvcrsy between tho
United states aud Germany and tho
United States aud Great Britain, and
can scarcely be regarded any other
than triangular identical problem.
IN ORDER" NOW THAT NOTE
TO HE;RLIN ~ OUT or WAY
The ncw impulse given TO the dis
cussion OF the note to Great Britain to-
day turned on the fact that it was lin
order" now that tt'e German note WAS
out Of the WAY.
From what officials say. there will
be very blunt statement to the Brit
/ ish government. The note will devote
itself almost entirely 10 questions OF
law and the construction OF intcrna-
,ionnl law by tho President and tho
state Department,
II is pointed out that Great Britain
was charged very soon after the open
ing of tho war with the violation Of
American rights, and there has been no
sign OF abatement. Innumera BILE notes
were sent TO Great Britain on par
ticular seizures. In each protest the
| British Foreign Office has been advised
OF the illeGality Of arrests OF ships
The crowninE event Of british dip.o-
macy affecting t'ni;cd States reports
adversely was the ultimatum of Lord
Crcwe. who told the United States
fatty that Great Britain would no
longer regard seizures "as diplomatic
questions. In the case of the William
+. Frye. the State Department told
Germany thai the United states would
continue TO regard case as within
diplomatic channels. Notwithstanding
the protest OF Germany. The case O.
the William r. Frye is some what diff
fercnt from British seizures. but the
principle of the applica bility of diplo-
macy, and not prize courts, is the same
In reference to both countries.
rEREMPTORY CHALLENGE
Or ORDER ~ COUNCIL.
The United states. therefore. in the
opinion of officials. is to make a per-
emptory challenge of Great Britain's
order in council. so far as it may affect
In the future any American ship or
/ cargo going To a neutra' port
This challenge will include a state
mcnt that the monopolization Of high
sea zones by Great Britain is contrary
TO the law Of nations. and that the
United states will not tolerate inter
ference in such areas with American
commerce. The United states. il is
stated by officials. does regard as sound
the position of Great Britain that she
can overhaul and take into a British
prize court cargo of alleged contra :
! hand bound to neutral port. The
/ United States is to hold Great Britain
/ to strict proof as against her present
practice of detention on suspicion as
| justification for seizure and detention.