Evening star., 1915-03-19
CABINET DISCUSSES
BLOCKADE PROTEST
Conference Expected to Define
Line of Action in Shaping
American Note.
DUTCH AND AUSTRIAN
ENJOYS SEE LANSING
Seek Information on Interpretation
United States Puts on British
Order in Council.

Urder IN COUNCIL.
The note to be sent to Great Britain
in the near future. protesting some fea-
lures of the British orders in council
and asking for more detailed informa-
1ion about other features. was taken
up at to todays cabinet meeting.
The two points considered were the
probable effects of the order on Amer
lean commerce and on the rights of
American citizens.
Information laid before the President
by Secretary Redie1d regarding the
export trade of the United States since
the outbreak of the war was gone
over in detail.
II was understood that the Presi-
dents advisers did not believe the
order would have demoralizing effect
on American commerce, because OF the
continuance of trade with Great
Britain, France and her allies.
The part of the order giving notice
that goods suspected of having an
enemy destination sent to neutral
was understood to have been agreed
upon as one of the chief points to be
protested against.
The Austrian ambassador, DR.. Dumba.
Chevalier van Rappard, discussed the
British order in council with Counselor
Lansing at the State Department to-
day, both seeking light as to the prob
able attitude of the Washington gov
ernment.
The Netherlands minister is keeping
his government informed as to the views
of the United States, as the reply to the
British order, which will be drawn up at
The Hague, will be based to some extent
upon the position taken by Washington
officials. although joint action with the
United States is not contemplated. He
also acquainted the State Department
with the views of his government as SO
far expressed.
DR.. Dumba is understood to have point
ed out that the perpleXity arising from
of the order on Austrian commerce added
to the difficulties of the situation.
Acts Without Precedent.
The latest war measure of the allies.
fhe British order in council announcing
feprisals against German commerce.
officials here consider without precedent
in international law. 1t has been stated
officially at the State Department that
the United States does not know
whether the allies intend their action
as legal blockade or whether the
rules of contrab band and dnon-contraband
are to be the basis for detentions.
1t is understood the United States
government holds that II the action of
the allies is a blockade it must be made
effective before commerce to and from
Germany can be stopped. 1t will main
tain further that American commerce
with European neutrals cannot be in
Jerfered with.
If the allies do not claim the order
in council is blockade, the United
States is not expected to acknowledge
the right of the allies to detain non
contra band even when consigned to
German ports.
The United States government con-
siders that Great Britain and France.
In the British order in council and in
the accompanying notes, have not
answered the questions propounded to
them as to what warrant there is un-
der international law for the estab-
iishment of an embargo on all COM
mercial intercourse. directly and indi-
countries.
Position of United States.
In; preparing the protest to be sent to
Great Britain and France, the position
of the United States government is sub
stantiaily follows:
I. II the action of the allies is a block
ade. all commerce directly with Ger
many can be halted by making the
blockade effective, certain radius of
activity being allowed for the block
aiding warships off the German coast
because of the newly developed ac-
iiyities OF submarines. But there can
be no legal blockade of the coast of
neutral countries of Europe contiguous
10 those at under any circuu-
stances and commerce between the
Hited States and neutrals especially
iu non-contra band. should be free from
Interruption. irrespective of ultimate
,lestinat tion.
II the action 10 mt :. b1ocl1,5o +h.,.
there exists no legal right to detaiu
cotton or other non-contraband cargoes
even when consigned directly to Ger
man ports. Nor can foodsfuffs or CON
rupted unless proven. though consigned
10 Germany. to be destined for the use
of Its bel1igerent forces and not its
civilian population.
Under the same circumstances 4oo
there is no legal basis for OBTAINING
cargoes consigned from the United
states to the neutral countries OF
Europe il containing cotton or non
mate destination. Similarly the allies
cannot, under the previously accepted
principles of international law inter
rupt shipment of foodstufs and other
conditional contraband en- route be-
tween the United States and neutrai
countries unless clearly proven to b.
going eventually TO the beIligeren,
. forces OF Germany and not to its civil.
IAN population.
Not at Issue.
, Neutral countries of Europe ma,
declare enbargoes Ola re-cxportation o
contraband or non-contraband thu.
preventing supplies from reaching Ger
many. With this sovereign right tn,
United States does not take issue, bu
il will insist on its right to ship :,
neutral countries, placing the burden o
stopping further progress on the lat
ter nations themselves.
In considering the above propositions
officials realize that Great Britain an,
her allies have set up the claim tina
their actions constitute retaliator,
measures against Germany, but this
in the view of the American govern
Inent does NOT affect the status of in
rernational law between the Unite
states and the belligerents.
The American attitude has not beef
changed materially a result of tn
expIanations I'm the exchange Of note
with Great Britain and France. il
whatever communication or protest
are made by the Washington govern
ment to safe guard it's rights, there will
De a reiterstion, 1t is understo ood, of tn
questions asked by the United States il
its identic inquiry to Great Britain an,
France.
In this the allies We're asked Wheth
,r the rules of blockade or the rule
governing contrab band and non-contra
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