Evening star., 1915-11-08

of neutral rights. which have received the
sanction of the civilized world against
the lawless conduct of belligerents aris
ing out of the bitterness of the great con-
met which is now wasting the countries
OF Europe, the United States unhesita ting
ly assumes, and to the accomplishment of
that task it will devote its energies, exer-
cising always that impartiality which
from the outbreak of the war it has
sought to exercise in its relations with
the warning nations"
The note is dated October 21, and ac-
knowledges the notes of the British gov
ernnlent dated January Z, February 10.
June %, July %, July 81 Gwo), August 49,
and a note verbale of the British embassy
OF August s, all of which relate to restric-
tons upon American commerce. The
United States says at the outset that it
has delayed answering these notes in the
hope that the announced purpose of Great
Britain ito exercise their belligerent right
with every possible consideration for the
interests of neutrals," and of causing "the
least possible amount of inconvenience to
persons engaged in legitimate trade"
would in practice not unjustifiably in
fringe upon the neutral rights of Ameri-
can citizens
1T 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
nave become increasingly vexatious caus-
ing American shipowners and American
merchants to complain to this government
OF the failure to-take steps to prevent an
exercise of belligerent power in contra
Venton of their just rights. AS the meas
ures complained of proceed directly from
orders issued by the British government
are executed by British authorities, and
arouse reasonable apprehension that if
not resisted they may be carried to an
extent even more injurious to American
interests, this government directs the at
tention of his ma jesty's government to
the following considerations:
Points Summarized.
| Here follow in numbered para agraphs
| the points made by the United States.
Summarized they are:
| ID The statistics presented by Great
Britain to prove an increase rather
than a decrease in American trade
fail 20 take into account the increased
price of commodities resulting from a
state of war or to make any allowance
for the diminution in the volume of
trade which the neutral countries in
Europe previously had with the nations
at war
(2) Detentions by Great Britain have
not been uniformly based on proofs
obtained at the time of seizure, but
many vessels have been detained while
/
| question has been one of "evidence to
support the belief of-in many cases
| bare suspicion of-enemy destination
or occasionally Of enemy origin of the
| goods involved"
/ go Attention is directed with regard
I to search of neutral vessels at sea to
/ the instructions issued to the naval
( commanders of the United States,
/ Great Britain, Russia, Japan. Spain.
/ Germany and France from 1883 to the
! beginning of the present war to show
/ that search In port was not contem-
plated by the government Of any Of
/ these countries"
/ 90 An examination of the opinion
/ of the most eminent text writer's on
the laws of nations shows that they
give practically no consideration to the
/ question of search IN port outside Of
/ examination in the course of regular
prize court proceedings"
go Answering the assertion of Great
/ Britain that the position of the United
/ States In relation of search at sea is
/ Inconsistent with its practice during
! the civil war, the note says this is
based upon "misconception." care
/ full search of the records Shows con-
1 clusively that there were no instances
when vessels were brought into port
! for search prior to instituting prize
court proceedings" and that captures
! were not made upon other grounds than
evidence found on the ship under in
vestigatfon, and not upon circumstances
! ascertained from external sources" 1t
| is here that Secretary Lansing appends
a copy of the instructions issued to
/ American naval officers on August 18,
! 1862.
Rule Relating to Inspections.
| S) In answer to the British conten-
tion that conditions relating to the
size and seaworthiness of modern car
riers justify bringing vessels into port
there is cited the report OF board OF
United States naval experts. just made
in which 1t is declared that 1t is not
necessary to remove every package OF
a ships cargo" to establish the charac-
ter and nature of her trade; that the
facilities for boarding and inspection
of modern ships are. in fact. greater
! than in former times. and that to per-
nit ships to be taken into port would
be a direct aid to the belligerents con-
cerned in that IT would release a bel
ligerent vessel overhauling the neutral
from Its duty OF search and set it free
for further belliserent operations"
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