Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-01
Full Text Of u. S. Protest
Sent to Great Britain

the hands OF the British authorities.
We feel that we are abundanty
justified in asking for information as
to the manner in which the British
government proposes to carry out the
policy which they have adopted IL
order that we may determine the steps
necessary to protect our citizens en-
gagged in foreign trade. in their rights
and from the serious losses to which
they are liable thru ignorance of the
hazards to which their cargoes are eE-
posed.
Policy Unjustifsd.
In the case ON conditional contra
band the policy of Great Britain ap-
pears to his government to be equally
unjustified by the established rules oil
international conduct AS evidence oil
this attention is directed to the fact
that a number OF the American cargoeG
which had been seized consist OF food
stuff and other articles of common use
in all countries which are admittedly
relatively contre band. In spite OF the
presumption of innocent use because
destined TO neutral territory. the BRIT
ish authorities made these seizures anc
0e.ent.ons without, so far as we are IN
formed. being in possession OF facts
which warranted reasonable beliei
that the ships had in realty beiiser-
ent destination as that term is used
in international law.
Mere suspicion is not evidence and
doubts should be resolved in favor OF
neutral commerce. not against it. The
efec, upon trade in these articles be-
tween neutral nations resulting from
M ieil
goes = not entirely cured by reim-
hursement of the owners for the dam
ages, which thy have suffered. after in
vestigation has failed to establish an
enemy destination. The injury is 10
American commerce with neutTa!
countries as whole thru the hazard
of the enterprise and the repeated d.
vision OF goods from established mar
kets
Fear Aid to Enemies.
1t also appears that cargoes of this
character have been seized by the
bri ish authorities because OF belief
that though not originally SO intended
by the shippers, they will ultimately
reach the territory OF the enemies Oh
Great Britain. Yet this belief Is ire
ft.ef..I.. reduced 70 = mere fear in view
Of - embargoes which have been de-
cree. by the neutral countries, TO
which they are destined, on the articles
composing the carSoes.
That a consignment to order or ar
ticles listed as conditional coHtIaband
and shipped to neutral port raises
legal presumption OF enemy destina-
ton appears to be directly contrary 10
the doctrines previously held by Great
Britain and thus stated by Lord SANS
bury during the South African war
"Foods.uffs. though having hos
tile destination can be considered as
contraband of var only If they are tof
the enemy forces, II is not Suflc-ent
that they are capable OF being so~useu
it must be shown that this vas in fact
their destination at the time OF their
seizure
Agree With Salisbury
With this statement as to continual
contraband. the views of this govern
,nent are in entire accord, and upon
this historic doctrine consistently
maintained by Great Britain when a
belligerent as well as a neutral, Ameri-
Z car shippers We're. entitled To rely
The government of the United Stf;tes
i reaaliy admits the full rights OF bel
ligerent to visit and search On the hish
seas the vessels OF American citizens
or other neutral vessels carrying
. American goods and to dstaih them
when there is sufficient evidence TO
justify belief that contra 9ani 1r'l-
cles are in their carsoes; but MS MA :
; iestys government, judging ~ 'teir
!. o.sn experience in the past. nuts reai-
.:e that this government ca npt "-th-
cut rl1lest permit American ships or
American cargoes 10 be taNec INTO
British ports and there detained lor
the purpose of searching generally FOR
icviGepce of contraband. Or upon pre-
sumptions created by special municipal
en2c,Inents which are clea'iy a. warn
ance with international law and prac-
tice.
i Hope For Like Relief.
This government bclieses, and earn
estiy hopes his maiestys government
will come 10 the same he!iet. that
course Of conduct more in conformity
with the rules Of i;iternati onal usage
which Great Britain has strongly sane
toned Yor many years. will il the end
better serve the int .asts Of bellig-
Grants as well as those of neut:ais.
Not only is the situation critical
one to the commercial interests Of the
|
industries Of this country are suffering
because their products are denied :one
established markets in European touE-
tries. which. tho neutral, are con-
,iauous to the nations at war. Pro-
ducers and exporters are pressing, ant
rot without reason. for relief frcsD she
menace to transa tlantic trade which i!
gradually, but surely destroying tssii
business and threatening them with f.
nancial disaster.
Rely on Sense of Justice.
The government of the United
States, still relying upon the deei
sense OF justice of the British nation
which has been so often manifesto.
In the intercourse between the tw'
countries during so many years OF un
interrupted friendship, expresses con
, fdentiy the hope that his majesty
. government will realize the obstacle
and difficulties which heir presen
. policy has placed in the way of com
, merce between the United States AM
. the neutral countries of Europe AM
will instruct it's officials to refrain
from all unnecessary interference witt
the freedom of trade between nation
! which are sufferers, tho not pariticf
pants in the present conflict; and Wi
= in their treatment OF neutral ships ant
cargoes conform more closely to thos
rules governing the maritime relation
betwene belligerents and neutral:
. which have received the sanction
a the civilized world, and which Grea
D.;<o;r bor I'm ntnar wars so RtfODRi