Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-07-17
us. INSISTS THAT
ENGLISH RESPECT
AMERICAN RIGHTS
America Takes Stand In
Cases Now Pending Be-
fore Prize Court
DOES NOT RECOGNIZE
ORDERS IN COUNCIL
Regarded As Strong, Clean
Cut Definition of American
Attitude

washington, July lin a cayeat
delivered Wednesday. the United States
informed the British foreign office that
1t will insist upon full American rights
under international law in all prize
cases "without limitation or imnoir.
ment by orders in council or other
British legislation, " the state depart.
ment announced today.
Great Britain was informed the Unit.
cd States will not recognize the valid.
ity of prize court decisions "under the
restraint imposed by British municipal
law in derogation of the rights of Am.
erican citizens under international
law. -
A summary of the rayeat made pub.
lie by the state department this after.
noon follows:
In view of the uilierences which
are understood to exist between the
two governments as to principles of
laws applicable in prize court proceed
lngs IN cases involving American in.
terests and to avoid any msunderstand.
ing as to the attitude Of the United
states regarding such proceedings the
government Of the United States in.
forms the British government that in so
iar rs the interests or American citizens
are concerned, it will insist upon their
rights under the principles and rules
OF international law as hitherto estab.
llshed and governing neutral trade in
time of war, without limitation or i'm.
pairment by orders in control or other
municipal legislation by the British
government and will not recognize the
validity of prize court proceedings tax
en- under restraint imposed by the Bri.
tiSh municipal laws in derogation of
American rights under international
law"
Although Secretary Lansing declared
the caveat was filed merely to protect
Americans generally in prize court cases
the impression was that the protest
from American packers as 70 the de.
tention of 81 meat eargoes consigned to
neutral countries, was responsible.
Regardless of the origin, 1t is re.
garded as one of the strongest and
cleanest cut definitions Of the Amer.
lean attitude that has yet been made.
It not only affects meat, but cotton
shipments
1t is know that the Ambassador Won
Bernstorff suggested that the next
American note take up the question of
mediation between Germany and Great
Britain regarding the warfare at sea.
The imperial government regards its
submarine warfare as an absolute neces.
atty so long as England maintains her
starvation blockade. " But if Eng
land win consent TO a modification Of
this method of warfare, Germany, in
return, will modify her submarine activ.
ity. It is understood this is the PROPOSE.
tlon submitted by Won Bernstorff. II is
not believed President Wilson will
make compliance with the demands for
Germans recognition Of the rights of
neutrals secondary 70 the proposals Of
mediation advanced by the ambassa.
dor, but while there appeared to be no
tangible reason for the more hopeful
outlook, 1t was obvious today that 0ffic.
ials regarded the chudces OF continued
amicable relations as improved. Ambas.
s1dor Won Bernstorff is known 20 be.
leve that mediation as to the warfare
at sea may tend toward ultimtae peace