Evening star., 1915-01-01
Policy Held Unjustif1ed.

exposed.
Policy Held Unjustifed.
"In the case of conditional contra
band the policy of Great Britain ap-
pears to this government to be equally
unjustified by the established rules of
international conduct. AS evidence of
| this, attention is directed to the fact
that a number of the American cargoes
which have been seized consist of food
StuffS and other articles of common use
in all countries which are admittedly
relative contra nd. In spite of the
presumption of innocent use because
destined to neutral territory, the Brit
ish authorities made these seizures and
detentions without, so far as we are
Informed, being in possession of facts
which warranted a reasonable belief that
the shipments had in reality a belligerent
destination, as that term is used in inter-
national law. Mere suspicion Is not evil
dence and doubts should be resolved in
favor of neutral commerce, not against
it.
1.-THE effect upon trade in these ar
ticles between neutral nations result
ing from interrupted voyages and de-
tanned cargoes is not entirely cured by
reimbursement of the owners for the
damages, which they have suffered,
after investigation has failed to estab-
lish an enemy destination. The injury
is to American commerce with neutral
countries as a whole through the haz-
ard of the enterprise and the repeated
diversion of goods from established
markets.
Purpose of Seizures.
"1t also appears that cargoes of this
character have been seized by the Brit
ish authorities because of a belief
that. though not originally so intended
by the shippers, they will ultimately
reach the territory of the enemies of
Great Britain. Yet this belief is fire.
quently reduced to a mere fear in
view OF the embargoes which have been
decreed by the neutral countries to
which they are destined on the articles
composing the cargoeS.
That consignment to order of ar
ticles listed as conditional contraband
and shipped to a neutral port raises
legal presumption of enemy destina-
the doctrines previously held by Great
Britain. and, thus stated by Lord Sails
bury during the South African war:
Case of Foodstuffs.
'Foodstuffs, though having hostile
destination, can be considered as con-
traband of war only if they are for
the enemy forces. 1t is not sufficient
that they are capable of being so used;
it must be shown that this was, in
fact, their destination at the time of
their seizure
with this statement as to condition
al contra band, the views of this gov
ernment are in entire accord, and upon
this historic doctrine, consistently
maintained by Great Britain when a
belligerent, as we'll as a neutral, Amer
lean shippers were entitled to rely
The government of the United States
readily admits the full right to visit
and search on the high seas the YES
sells of American citizens or other neu-
trail vessels carrying American goods
and to detain them when there is suf-
ficient evidence to justify belief that
contraband articles are in their car
goes: but his majesty's government,
judging 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 for the purpose of
searching generally for evidence of
contraband, or upon presumption Gre
which are clearly at variance with in
ternational law and practice.
Belief of Government.
This government believes, and ear
nestIy hopes his majesty's government
will come to the same belief, that a
course of conduct more in conformity
with the rules of international usages,
which Great Britain has strongly sane
toned for many years, will in the end
better serve the interests of belliger-
ents as well as those of neutrals.
Not only is the situation a critical
one to the commercial interests of the
United States, but many of the great
industries of this country are suffering
because their products are denied long
established markets in European coun-
tries, which, though neutral. are con-
tiguous to the nations at war. Pro-
ducers and exporters, steamship and
not without reason, for relief from the
menace to transatlantic trade which is
gradually but surely destroying their
business and threatening them with
financial disaster.
Relies On Sense of Justice.
"The government of the United
States, still relying upon the deep
sense of justice of the British nation,
which has been so often manifested in
the intercourse between the two coun-
tries during so many years of unn-
terrupted friendship, expresses conf
IDENTIFY the hope that his majesty's gov
ernment will realize the obstacle and
difficulties which their present policy
has placed in the way of commerce be-