The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-03
HEFLIN PROTESTS AGAINST BLOCKADE
,continued from Page Five)

supply of cotton for her own spinners at the low price that obtained prior to March 2? II she using the blockade to cripple the spinning industries of from utilizing the advantages that have come on account of conditions exist ing In England by reason of war? It she using the blockade to prevent certain foreign materials from reaching our manufacturers, for the purpose of in- turing another competitor. the cotton spinning industry of the United States? Is she using the blockade for the pur- pose of reducing the number of foreign consumers and deprivfng us of the in- 6uence of cotton buyers abroad, that she may profit by the depressed price that the blockade has produced?
 Great Britain's Motives
 "I am convinced now that these are the reasons behind the British blockade. By this conduct, Great Britain has said to the United States, you may ship cotton to England and to England only, we will close the markets of ever. neutral nation in Europe and seize every shipment of American cotton that appears upon the seas
 By this course Great Britain is h.
 
 American commerce, trampling upon our rgihts as a neutral country. dis crediting and insulting our national sovereignty and violating the clearly defined principles of international law. Great Britain Is dependent upon the markets of America, she is helpless without access to American produce. We sell to her, we supply her wants, while she by an illegal blockade alA tA \ ,atst. rot tIe of neutral nations and strikes down the commerce of the United States. Let us apply to Great Britain the golden rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. and let us serve notice upon her at once that if she expects to obtain supplies in or from the United States she must quit interfering with cotton and other on- contra band material exported from tie United States. And If she continues in force the present illegal and destruc- tive blockade, let the United States government prevent the shipment of any and all materials to the govern ment of Great Britain.
 Another Declaration of Independence
 Great Britain's illegal blockade and unwarranted interference with the commerce of the United States suggest to my mind that the time is ripe for writing another Declaration of Indc- pendence as regards our rights In non contra band commerce with the neutral nations of Europe. The principles cf this declaration can be enforced with out drum beat or a bugle call, by exercising our right not to ship sup plies to bellgerent power whose llie- gal conduct is against the best inter- ests of our country and violative of international law
 'To the end that the people of the United States. may enjoy the fruits / their labors and the noncontra band com merce of our country be permitted to reach the markets of the neutral nations of Europe, suggest that you write such a declaration and sign 1t on the Fourth of July. 1915
 Tn the name of aO,00o,0OO of America I, people in the south, who are suffering on account of Great Britain's illegal inter- ference with the cotton industry, I ap- peal to you to use your best efforts 70 relieve the dreadful situation produced by the British blockade. With best wishes, am yours sincerely,
 v. THOMAS HEFLIN."