The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-08
| AMERICA CHAMPIONS
 RIGHTS OF ALL THE
 NEUTRAL NATIONS
Seizures Will Be Contested By United States-COttOn Contraband Measure Is Spoken of Scathingly

made public here today, covering exhaus- lively British interference with American trade since the beginning of the European war, declares that the so-called blockade instituted by the allies against enemy countries on March Il is ineffective, ille- gal and indefensible." Notice is served that the American government cannot submit to the curtailment of it's neutral rights and it cannot with complacence suffer further subordination of it's rights and interests.
 Ambassador Page, to whom the note was sent by special messenger for deliv- cry to the London foreign office, was in- structed by Secretary Lansing ito im- press most earnestly upon the British government that the United States must insist that the relations between it and his majesty's government be governed, not by a policy of expediency, but by those established rules of international conduct to which Great Britain in the past has held the United States to ac count when the latter nation was bell ligerent engaged in a struggle for national existence"
 Champions Neutral Rights
 Declaring the United States 'unhesitat- ingly assumes'' the task of championing the integrity of neutral rights, the note proclaims that the American government will devote it's energies to the task, exer- cising always an impartial attitude.
 The note, nearly 15,000 words in length. was made public by agreement between the state department and the British for eign office. It carries with it a volumin- ous appendix, giving the text of American naval instructions issued in 1862 and a summary and table showing hundreds of vessels detained py British authorities since the beginning of the present war.
 The body of the note is divided into s points, dealing with all phases of the contraband question, seizures and deten- tions, prior to, as well as after, the so- called Blockade was instituted, and an nounces that a separate communication will be sent soon dealing particularly with the '.propriety and right of the British government to include in their list of con traband of war certain articles which have been so included"
 Britain Strictly Accountable
 .'The government of the United States desires, therefore, to impress most earn estly upon his majesty's government that it must insist that the relations between 1t and his majesty's government be gov erned, not by a policy of expediency, but by those established rules of international conduct upon which Great Britain in the past has held the United States to ac- count when the latter nation was bel ligerent engaged in struggle for na- tional existence. It is of the highest inn portance to neutrals not only of the pres ent day but of the future that the princi- pies of international right be maintained unimpaired.
 This task of championing the integ- rity of neutral rights. which have received the sanction of the civilized world against the lawless conduct of be'ligerents arising out of the bitterness of the great conflict which is now wasting the countries of Europe. the United States unhesitatingly assumes. and to the accomplishment of that task it will devote it's energies, exer- cising always that impartiality which from the outbreak of the war it has sought to exercise in it's relations with the warning nations
 Previous Note Acknowledged
 The note is dated October 21, and ac- knowledges the notes of the British gov- ernment dated January T. February 10, June 22, July 23. July 31 (two), August 13, and a note verbale of the British embassy of August S. all of which relate to restric- tions upon American commerce. The Onlteu StdteS says at the outset that IL has delayed answering these notes in the hope that the announced purpose of Great Britain ito exercise their be'ligerent ri<ht with every possible consideration for the interests of neutrals," and of causing the least possible amount of inconven- fence to persons engaged in legitimate trade,'' would in practice not unjustifia- bly, infringe upon the neutral rights of American citizens.
 Tt Is therefore a matter of regret ? says the note, that this hope has not been realized. but that on the contrary. interferences with American ships and cargoes destined in good faith to neutral ports and lawfully entitled to proceed have become increasingly vexatious caus- ing American ship owners and American merchants to complain to this govern ment of the failure to take steps to pre- vent an exercise of belligerent power in contravention of their just rights.
 Pointing out that in accordance with the declaration of Paris of 1856. the effec- tiveness of blockade is ''manifestly a question of fact" the United States says it is common knowledge that the Ger man coasts are open to trade with the Scandinavian countries" ]" The recent plac- ing of cotton on the British list of con- traband is spoken of as making it ap-
  selves have been forced to the conclu- sion that the blockade is ineffective to prevent shipments of cotton from reach ing their enemies. or else that they are doubtful as to the legality of the form of blockade which they have sought to maintain"
 In view of these considerations, the United States announces that it has no other course but Ito contest seizures of vessels at sea upon conjecturai suspi- cion and the practice of bringing them into port for the purpose by search or otherwise, of obtaining evidence" and adds that relying upon the regard of the British government for the principles of justice so frequently and uniformly manifested prior to the present war. this government anticipates that the British government will instruct their officers to refrain from these vexatious and illegal practices-"