South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-01

British fleet and customs authorities
t0 restrict interference with neutral
vessels carrying such cargoes So con-
signed to verification Of ships papers
and cargOes.
mo Change In Five Months.
"lt is therefore a matter OF deep
regre. that, though nearly five months
have elapsed since the war began. the
British government has not material
lE changed It's policy and does not
treat less vigorously ships and cargoes
passing between neutral ports in the
peaceful pursuit of lawful commerce.
which bclIgerents should protect
rather than interrupt The greater
freedom from detention and seizure
which was confidently expected 60 re-
suit from consigning shipments to
definite ccusignees is still awaited
It is needless 20 point out 20 his
mHJestEe government usually the
champion OF the freedom Of the seas
and the rights Of trade that peace,
not war is the normal relation be-
tween nations and that the commerce
between countries which are not bel
ligcrents should not be interfered
with by those at war unless such in
reference rs manifestly am Imperative
necessity % protect their national
safety and then only 80 the extent
lack of appreciation of the moment
Gus nature of the present struggle in
which Great Britain is engaged and
with no selfish desire 10 gain undue
commercial advantage that this gov
ernment is reluctantly forced 10 the
conclusion thar the present policy Of
his majesty's government toward neu-
tral ships and cargoes exceeds the
manifest necessity of a belligerent and
rnmEfffrfra- paEfrrrffpna fha 10 -
of American citizens on the high seas
which are not justified by the rules of
international law or required under
the principles of self preservation.
Justified I'm Start.
1--WE feel that we are absolutely
justified i'm asking for information as
to the manner in which the British
government proposes TO carry out the
policy which they have adopted, in
order that we may determine the steps
necessary to protect our citizens en-
gagged in foreign trade. in their rights
and from the serious losses TO which
they are liable through ignorance of
the hazard 10 which their CargOes
are exposed.
In the case of conditional contra
+ band the policy OF Great Britain ap-
pears to this government TO be equal
Is unjustified by the established rules
of this attention is directed TO the
fact that "a number OF the American
+ carsOes which have been seized con-
sists of foodstuffs and other articles
I of common use in all countries which
are admittedly relative contraband.
\ I'm spite of the presumption of innO-
/ cent use because destined 10 neutral
I territory, the British authorities made
I these seizures and detentiOns without,
I so far as we are Informed. being in
+ possession OF facts which warranted a
I reasonable belief that the shipments
are tn realty q befligerent destination
as that term is used in international
/ law Mere suspicion is not evidence
and doubts should be resolved in favor
/ of neutral commerce not against it.
/ The effect upon trade in these articles
/ between neutral nations resulting
( from interrupted voyages and detain-
ed cargoes is not entirely cured by re-
! endorsement of the owners for the
I damages which they have suffered,
after investigation has failed TO estab-
lish an enemy destination. The injury
is TO American commerce with neutral
countries as a whole through the
hazard of the enterprise and the re-
peated diversion OF goods from estab-
lshCd markets.
CargOcs Have Been seized.
Ut also appears that cargoes of
this character have been seized bS
the British authorities because Of 3
belief that though not originally Sc
intended by the shippers they Will ul-
timately reach the territory of the enc
mics of Great Britain. Yet this be
lief is frequently reduced 10 a mere
fear in view of the embargOes which
have been decreed by the neutra
countries to which they are destined
on the articles comprising the car
goes.
''That "a consignment to order o.
articles listed as conditional contra
j band and shipped To neutral por
raises "a legal presumption of enem!
destination appears 10 be directly con
trary 10 the doctrines previously helC
10y Great Britain and thus stated b.
Lord Salisbury during the South AT
rican war.
'Foodstuffs though having a hos
tile destination can be considered "a
contraband of war only if they are 70
the enemy forces. 1t Is not sufficien
that they are capable of Being used
p it must be shown that this was in fac
their destination at the time of thel
; seizure.
with this statement as conditiona
b contra hand the views of this govern
ment are i'm entire accord and upOl
B this historic doctrine consistent
maintained ny Great Britain when
helligerent as well as a neutral, Amer
p lean shippers were entitled TO rely.
Not Fair To Detain.
THE government OF the Unite
b states readily admits the full right o
D a belligerent 60 visit and search Of
7 the high seas the vessels of America
2 citizens or other neutral vessels carry
. ing American goods and TO detail
4 them when there Ais sufficient evi
= dence 10 justify a belief that contra
band articles are in their cargoes
but his maiesty's government, 1udgin
1 bv their own experience in the pas
. must realize that this gOvernmen
a cannot without protest permit Amer
= lean ships or American cargoes 10 ID
q taken into British ports and there dc
o tanned for the purpose OF searchlE
s generally for evidence of cOntraban