Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-07

Yet this belief is frequently reduced to
mere fear in view Of the embergo(
which have been decreed by the neutr}
countries to which they are destined, d
the articles composing the cargoes
That consignment to order Of al
ttcles listed as conditional contraband ad
shipped to neutral port raises a egl
presumption Of enemy destination al
pears TO be directly contrary to the dol
trines previously held by Great BritaI
and thus stated by lord Salisbury durin
the South African war
Foodstuffs, tho'irh- having a hoeti|
destination, can BE- considered as contrI
band Of war only II they nre for the en|
mY's forces, It Is not SUN cent that th1
are capable OF being so used. It must 1
shown that this was in fact their desd
nation at tho time Of their seizure
ADMITS RIGHT or SEARCH
With this statement as to condition.
contraband the views Of this rover|
ment are In entire accord. and upon IN
historical doctrine consistently naintai|
Cd by Great Britain when a belligere|
rs we'll as neutral, American shit
pers were entitled to reply.
The government Of the United StatI
readily admits the full right OF a helII
crent to visit and search on the hid
seas the vessels of American citizeI
or other neutral vessels carrying All
erican goods and to detain them VIII
there is sufficient evidence to justi|
a belief that contraband articles al
in their cargoes; but His MatestJ
government Judging by their own 81
pericnce in the past. must realize al
this government cannot, without pr|
test, permit American ships or Amed
can carEoes to be taken into Britt
ports and there be detained for III
purpose OF searching generally II
evidence Of contraband. or upon pr}
sumptions created by special mur}
cipal enactments which are clearly
variance with international law al
practices
SITUATION rs CRITICAL.
This government believes and earl
esuy hopes His Majestys governmeI
will come to the same belief, that
course of conduct more in conforml
with the rules OF international usad
which Great Britain has strongly san
toned for many years, will in the Ell
better serve the interest Of bellgerert
A. we'll as those Of reutrals.
'Not only is the situation a critid
one to the commercial interests OF II
United States, but many of the greI
g,..l al
because their products are denied loi
established markets in European cou}
tries, which. though neutral. are cd
tiguous to the nations at war. Pr~od,j
ers and exporters, steamship and inst
anCe companies are pressing and n
without reason, for relief from Il
menace to transatlantic trade which
gradually but surely destroying th{
business and threatening them vi
financial disaster.
The government Of the United Staty
still relying upon the deep sense OF !,
tlce of the British nation. which h
been 80 often manifested in the int !
course between the two countries duri
so many years of uninterrupted .rier
ship, expresses confidently the hope III
His Majesty's government will real
the obstacles and difficulties which tn
present policy has placed in the way
commerce between the United States a
the neutral countries of Europe and "
instruct its officials to refrain from
unnecessary Interference with the FRI
dom Of trade between nations which
sufferers, though not participants, in
present conflict; and will In their tres
ment OF neutral ships and cargoes &C
form more closely to those rules COVER
ing the maritime relations between be
gerentS and neutrals, which have rece
ed the sanction Of the civilized wor
ana In which Great Britain has in ott
wars so strongly and successfully ad,
Gated.
upon His Majesty's government that d
present condition Of American tra
with the neutral European countries
such that II 1t does not improve,
may arouse feeling contrary to IN
which has So long existed between d
American and British peoples Alrea
it Is becoming more and moro the subj
Of public criticism and complaint ThsA
is an increasing belief. doubtless not
tirely unjustned that the present pr
ish policy toward American trade Is
sponsible for tho depression in certs
Industries which depend upon Europe
markets. The attention of the Brit
government is called to this possible
suit of their present policy TO show hi
widespread the effect is upon the ind