The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
Bryan Comprehensive Letter Defends the Administration
From 20 Charges of Favornq the Allies IN the Great War

ibAlS VI us SUBJECTS OF GltlZenS may Do
impaired. hut the rights and interests of
belligerents and neutrals are opposed in
respect to contraband articles and trade
and there is no tribunal to which uues-
tons OF difference may be readily sub
mitted.
The record of the United states in the
past Is not free from criticism. When neu-
trail this Government has stood Tor q .
stricted list OF absolute and conditional
contraband. AS a belligerent we have
contended for a liberal list according to
our conception of the necessities of the
case.
The United States has made earnest
representations to Great Britain in regard
10 the seizure and detention by the British
authorities or all American ships or car
goes bona tide destined 10 neutral ports.
on the ground that such seizures and de-
tentions were contrary to the existing
rules OF international law II will be re-.
called. however. that American courts
have established various rules bearing on
these matters
The rule OF Continuous voyage" has
been not only asserted by American
tribunals but extended by them. They
nave exercised the right to determine
from the circumstances whether the os-
tensible was the real destination. They
nave held that the shipment Of articles
OF contraband to a neutral port ITO order"
from which as a matter Of fact carg res
had been transshipped to the enemy, is
corroborative evidence that the cargo is
really destined to the enemy instead OF
to the neutral port OF delivery.
II Is thus seen that some of the doc
trines which appear to bear harshly upon
neutrals at the present time are analogous
to or outgpowths from policies adopted
by the United states when " was a
belligerent The Government. therefore.
cannot consistently protest against tho
applicable Of rules which 20 has followed
IN the past unless they have not been
practiced a. heretofore.
90 AcquIescence without protest TO the
Inclusion Of copper and other articles
In the British lists OF absolute contra
band.
The United States has now under con-
sideration the question OF the right OF
a belligerent to include copper I'M
wrought in its list Of absolute contra
band instead OF in it's list Of conditional
contraband. As the Goverenment of the
United States has in the past placed "all
articles from which ammunition s manu-
featured in its contiaband list and has
declared copper to be among such ma
terals II necessarily finds some en-
barrassment In dealing with the subject.
Moreover. there Is no instance OF the
United states acquiesCing in Great
BritHin's seizure Of copper shipments
In every case IN which il has been done
vigorous representations have been made
to the British Government and the repre-
ssntatives OF the United States have
pressed for the release OF the shipments.
co. Submission without protest to inter.
ference with American trade to neutral
countries In conditional and absolute
contrabnnd.
The fact that the commerce OF the
United states is interrupted by Great
Britain IS consequ nj upou the superiority
OF he navy on the high seas. ~ Story
show that whenever n country has pos
srssed that superiority our trade has boon
Interrupted and that fow articles css, rtal
TO the pr, secution OF the war have been
allowed to reach its enemy from this
Country. The Departments recent note
to the British Government, which has
been made public. in regard 20 de,eutionS
and seizures OF American vessels and
cargoes, Is q complete answer to this
complaint.
Certain other complaints appear aimed
a. the loss Of profit IN trade. which must
include at leas: in part trade n contra
band with Germany. While other COM
plants demand the Prohibition 81 trade
In cont-abard. which appears TO T. fer TO
trade with the ALLIES.
90 submission without protest 10 inter.
ruptlon OF trade In conditional contra.
baud consigned Ia private persons ~
Germany ana Austria, thereby support.
ing the policy Of Great Britain 10 cut
of all supplies from Germany and Aus.
tria.
AS no American vessel 50 Cir as Lao' n
has attempted TO carry conditional con-
t"auand TO Germany or Austria Hungary
10 ground Of complaint has arisen out Of
the Sc cure ~ condemnation by Great
britain of an American yess With "a
bCiligercut destination. Unit. case arises
and the Government has Ken action
upon L criticism IS premature and uuWar-
rarted. The United states IA rs not
Of December . 20 the British Government
strongly conrended for the principle Of
freedom OF trade ia articles OF cuGi-
uonal c1ntrabaud not st.ned 20 the bel
lIgoreuts forces.
CSJ Submission To British Interference
with trade in petroleum. rubbrr, leather,
wool sc.
Petrol and other petroleum products
fas.UH ~. o