Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-08
AMERICAN NOTE
{ Continued from Page one)

States to account when the latter nation
was a belligerent engaged in a struggle
for national existence. 1t is Of the high
est importance to neutrals not only OF
the present day but OF the future that the
principles OF international right be main
tanned unimpaired.
This task of championing the in
tegrity of neutral rights, which have
received the sanction of the civilized
world against the lawless conduct of
belligerents arising out of the bitter
ness of the great conflict which is now
wasting the countries of Europe. the
United States unhesitatingly assumes,
and to the accomplishment of that task
it will devote its energies. exercising
always that impartiality which from
the outbreak of the war it has sought
to exercise in its relations with the
warning nations
The note is dated OCTOBER u and
acknowledges the notes of the British
Government dated January I, February
10. June %. July %, July 81 ttwo),
August 10, and a note verbale of the
British Embassy OF August 6, all of
which relate to restrictions upon Amer
lean commerce. The Unite States
SAYS at the outset that 1t has delayed
answering these notes in the hope that
the announced purpose of Great Brit
ain TO exercise their belligerent right
with every possible consideration for
the interest of neutrals,' and OF caus-
ing the least possible amount or IN
convenience to persons engaged IN legl-
innate trade" would in practice not I'M
justifiably infringe upon the neutral
rights of American citizens.
CONFIRMATION Of Just Rights
at is therefore a matter of regret,
saws the note. that this hope has not
been realized, but that on the contrary
interferences with American ships and
cargoes destined in good faith TO heu-
trail ports and lawfully entitled to pro-
coed have become increasingly veNa-
tious. causing American ship-owners
and American merchants to complain
TO this government of the failure 70
take steps to prevent and exercise OF
hel,ieerent power in contraventton OF
,ba;r inst rights AS the measures
comn,aioed of proceed directly from
orders issued by the British Govern
ment, are executed by British authori-
ties and arouse a reasonable appre-
hension that, if not resisted theS may
be carried to an extent even more III
furious to American interests TINS gov
eminent directs the attention OF his
Maiestv's Government to the FOLLOWING
considerations"
The Points Summarized
Hare follow in numbered paragraphs
~ no;nts made by the United States.
Summarized they are;
~. The statistics presented by Great
Britain to prove an increase ra'hei .iaAA
a decrease in American trade Ian "
take into account the increased price OIL
resulting from state OF
war or to may any allowance LOT the
din,inution in the volume of trade which
the neutra, countries in Europe previous
" had with the nations at war
(0 Detentions by Great Britain nave
no. heen uniformly based on proofs OBJ
tanned at the time OF seizure out MANY
have been detained while search
was made for evidence. the question
has heen one of evidence to support the
belief of-in many cases bare suspicion
of-enemy destination, or occasionally OF
enen,y origin of the goods involved
(0. Attention is directed with regard
- search of neutral vessels at sea to the
issued to the naval COM
n,anders of the United States, Great Bri-
tain. Russia, Japan. Spain, Germany and
France from 1855 to the beginning OF the
present war to show that search IN port
was not contemplated oy the govern
ment of any of these countries
~ An examination Of the opinion of
,ba most eminent text writers on the
avs Of nations shows that they give
practically no consideration to the aues-
lion of earch in port outside OF exami-
nation in the course of regular prize
court proceedings"
90. Answering the assertion Of Great
Britain that the position Of the United
States in relation Of search at sea Is in
with its practice during the