The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-11-10
DRHnlk sIcalngE pulGY
UNrrnn srE1tfS VIVA NOT EoNa.
ER STAND BON fNTERfTR-
ENCE WITH FPS TRADE.
Latest Note 90 london Covers Trade
Situation Since Beginning of War
and states that This Country VIII
Not submit to Curuiilmcnr of It's
Rsents--insists Thnt Esm linsiic,,
Ruies OF mternarionai Law be OBJ
served by England.


States In it's latest note to Great
Britain. made public here today, COW
ering exhaustively British interference
with American trade since the begin
ming Of the European war. declares
that the so-called blockade instituted
by the allies against enemy countries
on March IL is ineffective, illegal
and indefensible." Notice Is served
that the American government "can
not submit to the curtailment of It's
neutral rights" and 1t can not with
complacence suffer further subordina-
ton Of its rights and interests"
Ambassador Page. to whom the note
was sent by special messenger for
delivery to the London foreign office,
was instructed by Secretary Lansing
ito impress most earnestly" upon the
British government that the United
States must Insist that the relations
between II and his majesty's govern
ment be governed. not by a policy Of
eSpediency but by those established
rules OF international conduct to which
Great Britain In the past has held the
hitter nation was belligerent engag-
ed In a struggle for national exist
ence."
Declaring the United States "un-
hesitatingly assumes" the task Of
championing the integrity of neutral
rights. the note procaims that the
American government will devote it's
energies to the task. exercising always
an impartial attitude.
The note. nearly $1,000 words in
length. was mdae public by agreement
between the state department and the
British foreign office. 1t carries with
IL a voluminous appendix. giving the
text OF the American naval instruc-
tions issued in 1862 and "a summary
and table showing hundreds Of vessels
detained by British authorities since
the beginning Of the present war.
The body OF the note Is divided
into s5 points. dealing with all phases
cf the cort-ahand question, seizures
and ,cntIons. prior %, as wei as
after. The socalled blockade was In
stituted. aud announces that q sepa-
rate communication Will be sCnt soon
dealing particularly with the pro-
priety and right Of the British gov
ernmsit 10 ificiude IN their list or
contraband OF war certain articles
which have been so included"
In conclusion. after an argument
on the law and facts. Secretary Lam
sing says:
''I believe II has been conclusiveiy
shown that the methods sought to be
employed by Groot Britain to obtain
and us evidence Of enemy destination
OF cargoes bound for neutral ports
and to impose ontraband character
upon such cargoes are without justi-
hcauon; that the blockade, upon
which such methods are partly found
ed. is ineffective, illegal and inde-
fensible; that the judicial procedure
offered as n means OF reparation for
an international injury Is inherently
defective for the purpose; and that
In many cases jurisdiction Is asserted
In violation OF the law OF nations.
The United States. therefore, can not
submit to the curtailnent OF it's
neutral rights by these measures,
which are admittedly retaliatory, and
therefore Illegal. In conception and in
nature. and intended to punish the
enemies OF Great Britain for alleged
illegallties cn their part. The United
States might not he In a position to
object TO them if Its interests and
the interests OF all neutrals were un-
affected by them. but. being affected,
IL can not with complacence suffer
further subordination OF its rights and
interests TO the plea that the excep-
uonal geographic position of the enc
mics of Great Britain require or
Justify oppressive illegal practices.
The government OF the United
States. therefore. desires to impress
most earnestly upon his majesty's
government that II must insist that
the relations between IL and his ma
1edys government be governed, not
BY a policy of expediency. but by
those established rules OF interna-
tional conduct upon which Great Brit
ain I'm the past has held the United
States TO account when the latter ma
Ition was a belligerent engaged In a
struggle for national existence. 1t Is
OF the highest importance To- neutrals
not only of the present daY but OF