Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-02-24

from unjustified belligerent action"
Great Britain suggests that opportu-
mites for adequate compensation are
offered in the British prize courts.
In connection with the subject of
detentions, Ambassador Page is re-
minded that he has been supplied by
the British foreign office with par
ticulars Of every ship under Ameri-
can colors detained and of every
shipment detained and of every ship
ment or cargo in which an American
citizen appears to be the party inter
ested. Not only is the fact Of deten-
ton notified to your eXcellency, but,
so far as Is practicable, the grounds
upon which the vessel or cargo had
been detained are also communicate
ed to you, a concession which en-
ables any United States citizen to
take steps at once to protect his in
terests.
COntraband ana Food Stufrs.
Turning to the question of condi-
tional contraband and food stuffs. the
note says:
"No country had maintained more
stoutly than Great Britain the princi-
pie that q belligerent should abstain
from interference with the food stuffs
intended for the civil population. The
circumstances of the present struggle
are causing his majesty's govern
ment some anxiety as to whether the
existing rules with regard to condi-
tional contraband, framed as they
were with the object Of protecting, SO
far as possible, the supplies which
were intended for the civil popula-
tion, are effective for the purpose, or
suitable to the conditions present.
The principle which / have indicated
above is one which his majesty's gov
ernment have constantly had to up
hold against the opposition of CONT
mental powers. In the absence Of
some certainty that the rule would
be respected by both parties to this
conflict, we feel great doubt whether
1T should be regarded as an estab-
lished principle Of international law"
Sir Edward quotes Prince Bis
marck's answer to the Kiel chamber
Of commerce in 184a in connection
! with the treatment of rice as contra
band in the French Chinese war.
THE measure in question:" Prince
Bismarck is quoted as saying, "has
for its object the shortening Of the
war by increasing the difficulties of
the enemy and is a justifiable step
in war if impartially enforced against
all neutral ships"
The communication contends that,
even though trade between the Uni
ted States and the allies has dimsn-
!SheG, tho volume Of commerce Wit
neutral countries has been maintain.
cd, and. che inference .nay,-iairiy be
drawn" that Substantial part OF
this trade was in fact intended fol
the enemy countries going through,
neutral ports"
Taking up some OF the "inconven-
fences to which this great war is ex.
posing the commerce OF all neutral
countries, the note points out tha,
undoubtedly "the serious shortage f.
shipping available for ocean trans
port and the consequential result G!
excessive freights" have had much t.
90 with the situation, but a denial
is entered that Great Britain's activi-
ty has brought about this shortag..
for, it is added, only ten neutral yes
sells are awaiting adjudication in
prize courts. Great Britain declare
she, too, is suffering "as acutely IT
not more than other nations" from
shortage of shipping and a rise IN
freights, and has taken every ste
consistent with bellgerent interest
to increase the tonnage available for
the transport of sea-borne com
nlerce."
The hope is expressed that the
United States will realize that the
detention of neutral ships by the a
lies has not contributed nearly 50
much to the shortage of shipping "as
has the destruction of neutral shirs
by submarines and mines indiscrin1.
inately laid by the enemy on the hieh
seas In the track OF merchant yes
sells"
Cites American Practice.
TO justify the detention Of SUI.
pected cargoes passing between neu-
tral countries. and taking than In