The Detroit times., 1915-01-11

contraband and we haye been warned
that copper Nill oe "onrcaled ih h"les
Of cotton
"Whatrvri .usplrioHs we have en-
tertaiued. wc have Uot ~u tar haHr
these "A grOGh fui uetuiuius nay shlp
carrying uuttun. but. should We uhN"
belieys Ia a., case of particular shlp
that the bales ~ .uttou concealed -op
pei or other .outruhaud he 'ny MAJ
10 prove our ..se would pv to examine
aud weigh tie bales process thut
could uc carried uut only uN bringing
the Vessel into "a port ln suth "a case,
on II eNaminauon justiued The aeti"n ot
his muitstN.s GOV trnnlcut, TIE vase
shan DEE hrought NefoTe n pri4r court
and dealt with o. thc 1rdInary way,
Hair 60 Nrutrals.
THAT the decisions ~ British pytZe
courts hitherto have not been uufavor-
able to beutrals ~ evidenced by the
decision ln the Mlramiyhi vase This
case. which was decided AGAINST tie
shipper was 10 be paid, even when he
had sold a cargo II. and when the risk
OF loss after the cargo had been ship
ped did not apply 20 him at all.
10 has further been represented tn
Nis mH1estys government though this
subject Is not dealt with IN your eN-
Celiency's : note, that oar emoarEoeS on
the export of some articles, More
especially rubber. have intgrfered Win
commercial interests iu the tuited
states. IL is of course. difhcult fni MS
MAJESTY government io permit the fN
port OF rubber from British dominionS
70 the United states At time when
rubber Is essential %. helligrTent couh-
tries for carrying on the War ana
Der from the United states I'm suspici-
ously large quantities 20 neutral coun-
tries, has actually sprung Up since me
war
The Rubber Question.
1t would be impossible 20 permit
the export ~ rubber. frYm Great Brlt,
ain, unless the right of his majesty :
government were admitted 10 submit
TO a prize court CargoeS or rubber eN-
ported from the United states which
they believed 20 be destined for an
enemy country and reasonable latitude
OF action for this purpose We're con-
ceded But his uatesty's government
have now Professionally come 20 an ar
rangemeut with the rubber exporters
I'm Great Britain. which will permit ~
licenses being given under proper
guarantees for the export OF rubber to
the United states
I'VE are confronted with the grow
ing danger that neutral countries con-
tiguous 10 the enemy will become on
scale hitherto Unprecedented base
OF supplies for the armed forces OF our
enemies, and for materials for manu-
featuring armament. The trade figures
OF imports show how strong this ten
dency Is. but We have no complaint 10
ments OF those countries, which so far
as We are aware. have not departed
from proper rules ot neutrality
we endeaNor, In the interest Of our
own national safety TO prevent this
danger by intercepting goods really
destined for the enemy without inter
tering with those which are bona rde'
neutral
L. :. Changes Practice.
Since the outbreak % the war, the
government OF the United states have
changed their previous practice and
have prohibited the publication OF
manifests till 20 days after the depar-
ture OF vessels from the United states
ports. We had no locus standr for
complaining OF this change. and did
not complain. But the effect OF II must
be 10 Increase the difficulty of ascer-
TO render necessary. In the interests of
our national safety. the examination
and detention OF more ships than
would have been the case IL the for
mer practice had continued
Pending a more detailed reply /
would conclude by saying that his ma
Jesty's government do not desire to
contest the general principles OF law
on which they understand the mote az
the United States TO be based and de-
sire 10 restrict their action solely to
interferences with eontraband destined
for the enemy.
Ready 20 Explain.
His matesty's government are pre-
pared, whenever cargo coming from
the United States IS detained, TO eX-
plain the case on which such detention
has taken place. and would gladly en-
ter into any arrangement by which
mistakes can be avoided and reparation
secured promptly when any injury 10
the neutral owners OF ship or cargo
has been Improperly caused for they
are most desirous, in the interest both
OF the United States and OF other neu-
tral countries, that British action
should not interfere with the normal
Importation and use by the neutral
countries OF goods from the United
States =
Il have the honor 20 be with the
highest consideration. your eXcellency's
most obedient humble servant
(Sisned) "E GREY