The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-03-19
ADM|N|STRAT TI0N.
CLAI MS ALLIES
HAVE HEOGFD
Have Not Answered. Questions Rel
Iatiye To Embargo
MAIN POINTS OF PROTEST
United States WI Insist that We
Cannot BE eloeksded Out OF
Europe.

Washington, March 19-The United
States government considers that
Great Britain and France, in the Brit
tish order in council and In the accom-
panying notes have not answered the
questions propounded to them as to
what warrant there is under interna-
tional law for the establishment of an
embargo on all commercial inter-
course, directly or Indirectly, between
Germany and neutral countries.
1t was stated at the state depart
ment yesterday that this government
still does not know whether the action
of the allies is intended as a legal
blockade or whether the ordinary
rules Of contraband and noncontra.
band are to be tile legal basis for fu.
ture detentions On determination
of this question probably wifi depend
not only the nature of any steps
which may be taken By the United
States at this time. but also the basis
for the claims for damages arising out
of Interruptions TO American com
merce under the new policy OF the al
lies.
In preparing the protest to be sent
to Great Britain and France the posi-.
ton of the United States government
is substantially as follows
l. If the action of the allies is a
hlNcEodn OIL lf-oa.l,. ...tl.
Germany can be halted by making the
blockade effective. n certain radius
Of activity" being allowed for the
blockading warships off the German
coast because of the newly-developed
activities OF submarines But there
can be no legal blockade of the coast
of neutral countries of Europe, cont.
guous TO those at war. under any cir
cumstances, and commerce between
the United States and neutrals, espec.
Tally in noncontraband should be
free from interruption, irrespective OF
ultimate destination.
2. If this action is not a blockade
then there exists no legal right to de.
tain cotton and other noncontrabrand
cargoes even when consigned directly
TO German ports Nor can foodstuffs
or conditional contraband be just,
interrupted unless proved, though cot
signed TO Germany. to be destined for
the use of its belligerent forces ana
not its civilian population. Under the
same circumstances. too, there is no
legal basis for OBTAINING cargoes con.
signed from the United States to the
neutral countries OF Europe if contain.
ing cotton or noncontraband goods.
irrespective OF ultimate destination.
| Similarity, the allies cannot under tina
previously accepted principles of inter
national law interrupt shipments OF
foodstuffs and other conditional econ.
| traband en- route between the United
States and neutral countries, unless
clearly proved to be going eventually
| to the belligerent forces of Germany
| and not its civilian population
3. Neutral countries of Europe may
declare embargoes on re-exportation
of contraband or noncontrabanG
thus preventing supplies from reach
ing Germany With this sovereign
right the United States does not taxi
issue. but II will insist on its right I
| ship to neutral countries, placing the
burden of stopping further progress
on the latter nations themselves.
In considering the above proposit.
ions officials realize that Great Bri.
| tain and her allies have to set up the
claim that their actions constitute re.
| taliatory measures against Germany
| but this, in the view of the American
government, does not affect the stat
| us of international law as between The
| United States and the belligerents
| The American attitude has not been
| changed materially as a result of the
explanations in the exchange Of notes
| with Great Britain and France II
| whatever communication or protests
are made by the Washington govern
| iGent to safeguard its rights there Wi
be O. federation. it is understood o.
the questions asked by the Unitet
States in its identic inquiry to Grca
| Britain and France