Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-29
MATTER Is Still. VITAL.
IN TIL. BRITISH VIEW

ltfs BRITISH VIE"
WASHINGTON. July 2s.-Defcnsc Of
the right Of "A belliecrent 10 blockade
a neutral port through which AN enemy
Is receiving supplies or attempting to
market his own products. is the chief
argument TO be made in the supple
mental note Great Britain is preparing
In reply to the American protest
against the enforcement Of the orders
in council. and which is expected with
In a week.
All other issues than that of the
blockade of neutral ports. it is learned
will be regarded by the British govern
ment as subsidiary and proper for later
discussion. Upon recognition by neu-
trail governments Of the principle, from
the British viewpoint, depends the
ability of belligcrent. which has
otherwise established control OF tho
seas. 10 profit by the enormous expen-
diturc and sacrifice which made nos
sible that control The matter is ALL
important, in the British view.
TWO NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Ut FOR DISCUSSION
Two developments. not discussed in
the original note. will be taken UP in
the supplemental communications Tho
hrst Is the American caveat OF July i.
conveying the notification that the
United States government would not
recognize the orders in council as
substitute for the provisions OF inter
national law.
Inc second point arose in connection
with the enforced unloading on the
London docks of the American steamer
Neches Oh June -. The ship was en-
with cargo OF noncontrabnnd. mostly
OF German and Belgian origin. The
British government asserted the right
under its blockade of Germany and
that part OF Belgium under German
control, TO prevent any goods from be-
ing exported. the sale OF which might
aid the enemy financially.
because the principal British ar1u-
ment is directed TO that phase Of the
right or blockade which affects goods
sought to be introduced into an enemv's
country. II is believed that the British
Foreign Office felt IL necessary TO sun
plement tho original note By an argu-
ment extending the claim TO cover the
case or goods exported from the enemy
country through n neutral port
civil war presidents in regard TO the
right OF blockade form the chief basis
Va vac b!!tish argument, attention be-
ing separately called TO the famous
Sprinsbok case before the United
States Supreme Court devclopinr the
continuous voyage" theory. Though
this doctrine, which. it is asserted. ius
tihes belligerent in blockading a neu
tral port, was strongly resisted by
European nations. the fact that IL was
finally accepted in its entirety by the
Alabama claims arbitration was suf-
hcient In the British view TO make il
an enduring principle of international
law. Therefore. the order in council
which is believed ny British officials TO
De entirely in accord with that theory.
VIII continue to be applied, although
with due Difference to the protection of
legitimate neutral trade
CAN SEE NO DAMAGE
TO AMERICAN TRADE
incidentally. it is contcndcd By. Great
Britain in its communication thar mo
execution OF these orders in council
has not resulted in any damage 70
American trade. According to the Brit
ish view. that trade has increased enor
mous!y since the beginning of the war
American treasury figures showing An
increase of 500, 900 In exports dur
ing eleven months. while :he American
imports of German goods has grown nv
10000 tons.
Significant as indicating the amount
OF The American goods entering Ger
many and Austria. attention is directed
TO official statements that the exports
of the United States to The Neither
lands have Increased from $4,000 900
10 Sl22, 900. 900: to Sweden from ST., OOO-
600 to s7l,o0o.00: to Norway from ST.
100000 TO s35, oo0,o 600. and TO Denmark
from Sl3,000,000 10 5000 900.
That America received a fair supply
OF goods from Germany notwithstand-
ing the war is shown. the British gov
eminent claims. by the fact that in
eight months the imports from that
country to the United States aggregat-
cd SS6.noo. 600. and it is also noted that
the import of dyestuffs from Germany
was greater than during the previous