The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-08

TEST 10y the United States under three
heads. Under these are covered all
The acts which arc held to- have in
fringed upon American trade rights.
Tile three groups OF offences are:
4. The seizure n detention Of
vessels On the high seas Oh mere sus.
picioR.
=. The s~o.cailed blockade policy.
=. The unsatisfactory and uhaccert.
able character III the regulations gov.
erRine and the procedure OF British
prize courts.
The American protest on these
three grounds Of complaint is sum-
married. in the note as follows:
believe IL has been conclusively
shown that Inc methods sought to be
employed by Great Britain 10 obtain
and use evidence OF enemy destination
of cargocs bound for neutral ports and
to impose a c~ontraband character
upon such cargoes ar without justl-
fication: that the blockade. upon
which such methods are partly
founded. Is Ineffective. illegal and in
~iefensibie that the judicial procedure
offered al a means Of reparation for
an International injury is Inherently
defective for the purpose and that in
many cases jurisdiction Is asserted In
violation Of the law Of nations.
The notc adds the additional warn
Ding that the United States ''canno'
submit to the curtailment OF its ncu'
trial rights by these measures" Of
with complscence suffer further sub
ordination of its rights and Interests
90 the plea that the exceptional geo
graphic position of the enemies o
Great Britain require or Justify op
pressiyc and illegal practices"
Court Ratings Unlaw fol.
Tho newest matter in the note I
that relating to the British priz
courts
Tho note contends that the BritisI
prize courts acquire Jurisdiction owe
neutral vessels by unlawful means
British authorities, acting under BIRTHS
orders in council. many OF which thi
Government regards as in c~ontraventio
Of international law. seize neutral YES
sells ri the high seas on mere suspicio
and take them into British ports wher
they are within the territorial jurisdic
tion of British domestic aw. The Brit
jsh have no right. IL IN alleged. to en-
tend domestic law, u as the orders |
council. to cover seizures on the hig
reas.
The prize courts. II is further allege,
ere bo und by these same orders In cour
ell which are held to be in violation {
international law.
They are therefore, in the opinion
the State Department. powerless to pas
on the real ground Of complaint or I
give redress for wrong Of this nature.
with reference to the British clai,
that the United States took n similar ~
sitlon in the civil war and referred fol
cign claimants to prize courts for n
dress. the United States note declars
that Great Britain Is mistaken.
Furthermore, II II pointed out BY II
United States. the British prise cour'
offer no means OF reparation Tor di
astrous effects OF British practices upo
American tradc. Fear OF British pra'
sices, Il is asserted. has caused Amer
ans to shun certain trades. a force
insurance rates up and acted n "A gel
eral deterrent upon American trade vii
neutrals.
With respect 70 the British hlockad
h United States ho'ds that II In n
81 blockade in law. practice or enet
II IL not effective In that German coas
are open to Scandinavian trade II
not impartial because the northern ne
trails are free TO trade with German
while the United states is virtually d
barred from such trade
Finally, the note asserts IN
Great Britain herself has admitted l