New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
THE CoNTRABAND DISPUTE
A Reader Regrets the Manner Of Our
Protest as First Made Public.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Il is greatly 10 be regretted that
the protest which President Wilson and
Secretary Bryan have recently made to
the British government has been f"
iufelictously expressed and has beer
presented in a manner so tactless thsi
something Of a temporary estrangemen'
has been unnecessarily caused between
two nations who should be on the be''
of terms.
II is somewhat humiliating for Us
Americans. when criticised By EURO
peans for the often brusqLe and man
nerless nature OF our diplomatic con-
munications, 20 have our conduct De
Tended by our European friends on 'hs
ground that, because Of our eompaiA
lively recent entry into world poliues
and because of our ignorance ~ soc"
usages. il would be unreasonable 70 q,
pect the same standard Of courtesy sh'
good breeding from Washington tha' y
demanded from London. from Nenn
or from Rome. We should not %
forced continually 70 plead minonN
from the diplomatic standpoint N %
tenuation of our offences or TO eNplNA
that our dispatches are perfectly cor
rect when judged by the social stsnoais
prevailing in some provincial town u
New Jersey or in Nebraska. 49,,
Our right 10 demand that our 'h'p
and our cargoes should not De sss
,ected 10 unreasonable and unnecesssI'
detention is unquestioned, but su..
rare cases OF unnecessary detention =.
the part of the British as must aimOs.
inevitably arise in times Ike 'nss
could have been brought 10 the low,
of the proper authorities IN a NANNY.
more in accordance with the propt'e"''
of diplomatic intercourse.
There is abundant proof, morrow"
that in the main the British gave o.
played a degree OF consideration ~
neutral rights, including our OWL ri.
course, unparalleled IN history in
consideration has been requited' 10 y,
merous instances, by practices on ".
part of shippers and German sgehs,
which can only be considered con.
if Judged by the prevailing Oe,ns
code of honor False invoices ~.
been made out, copper has been pa.
ed TO look like iron, rubber has ~.
described as gum, and numerous o'S''
frauds have been committed. -
There is a widespread but aosoiu..ss;Ss
erroneous notion prevailing IN ~
country that goods, even though w.
may be contraband of war. " conslgaJI
TO a neutral country are neutral ~
and are exempt from seizure. "a. -
that Great Britain would not De ls,r
fed in Selling gasolene. horses OF eSs
per, for instance, ii consigned 70 "a
penhagen, Rotterdam or Genoa o. a.
any other neutral port, because 'hs
tensible destination Of these g'Oss
happened 20 be neutral. Buy % 20
termining whether goods are llap.e
seizure or not international law G
the ultimate and not the os'enslo,
destination Of the cargo INFO consul
Grafton. Han.
II. for example, cargo OF gasole,.t'
were consigned 10 Copenhagen VIII
the intention Of unloading the go
lene al Copenhagen and Forwarding
10 Germany. the law would regard 'h'
ultimate destination OF the gasolene =.
Germany and not Denmark, and Wovl'
iustify Great Britain in seizing VIZ
cargo. provided that 10 could be prov
that the ultimate destination OF ,n'
cargo was Germany and not Denn.s
RICHARD A. LEkbUA.
New York. Dec 81, 1914