Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-01-06

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American citizens. = 3. !. Il /.
The Government OF the United
States has viewed with growing con,
Germ the large number Of vessels lad
en- with American goods destined to.
neutral ports in Europe which have
been seized on the high seas, taken 81
into British ports and detained some
times for weeks BY the British author
!. 5ties. = 4{5
The following are paragraphs ex-
tracted from the President e protest:
This government, relying conf
IDENTIFY upon the high regard which.
Great Britain has 50 often exhibited
IL the past for the rights Of other ma;
tons, confidently awaited amendment
\ Of . course Of action which denied to
/: neutral commerce the freedom to
which Fit was entitled by the law OF
nations. = NH ,&s,... &; q, 1a.-5
Five Months and No Change. q
1t Is, therefore, a matter Of deep
regret that, though nearly five
months have passed since the war
began, the British Government have.
not materially changed their, policy
and 90 not treat less vigorously ships
and cargoes passing between neutral
ports In the peaceful pursuit OF law
full commerce, which belligerents
should protect rather than. interrupt.
The greater freedom from detention
and seizure which was confidently
expected to result from consigning
shipments to definite consignees,
rather than to order is still await.
ed.', s s
ut is with no lack Of appreciation
OF the momentous nature Of the pres
ent struggle in which Great Britain is
engaged and with no selfish desire to
gain undue commercial advantage
that this Government Is reluctantly
forced to the conclusion that the pres
emit policy Of His Majesty's Govern
ment toward neutral ships and car
goes exceeds the manifest necessity OF
belligerent, and constitutes restric-
tons upon the rights Of. American cit.
liens on the high seas which are not
Justified by the rules of international
raw. or required under the principle
OF self-preservation.' :s.s 4
t5$ Unwarranted as such detentions
are, in the opinion OF this Govern
ment, American exporters are further
I perplexed by the apparent indeci-
sdon Of the British authorities in ap-
plying their own rules to neutral car
sgoes.' q i
In a word. legitimate trade is
being greatly impaired through un-
acertatnty as to the treatment which
It may expect at the hands of the
British authorities" r. a..
Mere suspicion is not evidence
and doubts should be resolved in IA
vor Of neutral commerce, not against
it, :ss55 ~, r
"His Majesty's Government, judg-.
ing by their own experience in the
past, must realize that this Govern
ment cannot without protest permit
American ships or American cargoes
to be taken into British ports and
there detained tor the purpose of
search generally for evidence OF con-
traband. or upon presumptions ere
ated by special municipal enactments
which are clearly at variance with
international Law and practice.
Warned OF American Opinion.
In conclusion It should be i'm
pressed upon His Majesty's Govern
-
ri - -. .,.. ).
it does not. improve, 1T may arouse q
.aa,,n :, =, - 4h.+ u,,,ch h.s a.
,ons ev,s+ed hatvaan tho American
and R-,+,ah n.,on,e. = Already II is
hecom,ne mor<, and more the sub3ec.