New-York tribune., 1915-03-19
Will Tell Allies Stipula-
tions Are Outside Law
and Practice.
WANTS BLOCKADE
LIMITS DEFINED
Washington Hopes Decree Will
Be Modified to Conserve
Neutral Commerce.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, March 1S.-"The sole
right of belligerent in dealing with
neutral vessels on the high seas Is
limited to visit and search, unless
blockade is proclaimed and effectively
maintained"
This declaration of policy by the
American government is contained In
a recent note to Germany in protest
ing its war zone decree and, it is un-
derstood, will form the underlying
principle of a vigorous protest to
Great Britain and France against en-
forcement of the recent British Order
in Council.
While the word blockade" is men
toned in the notes explaining the Or
der in Council, the document makes no
reference to the declaration or enforce
ment of blockade. Therefore, the
American government contends, accord
ing to a high State Department official,
that no notice of blockade has been
served on this country. and the United
States cannot consistently agree to the
enforcement of the Order in Council.
Not only has the American policy OF
visit and search been outlined to Ger
many in positive terms, but Great
Britain also has had formal notice that
this government cannot, without pro-
test permit American ships or cargoes
to be taken to British port and de-
tanned on presumptions created by spe-
cial enactments which are clearly at
va.iance with international law and
practice. This declaration was con-
tanned in the original note sent to
Great Britain on December 26 last pro-
testing against interference with neu-
tral commerce by British warships.
Just how these declarations OF
American policy in the last few months
fit in with the rules laid down by the
Order in Council can best be judged
by the attitude of this government
toward the order. In its note of in
quiry to Great Britain and France the
United States has asserted that to detaln
and take into port ships carrying goods
of presumed enemy destination, owner
ship or origin without intending to
confiscate them unless they would
otherwise be liable to condemnation
presents a proposed course OF action
previously unknown TO international
law. Students of international law
pointed OUT lO-udy ludl lHC SHitSu
States must of necessity, if its course
is to be kept clear, protest to Great
Britain and France along these lines.
The United States is also expected
to raise the point that the various
declarations of the allied governments
are not sufficiently specific in their de-
limitations of the areas of their cruiser
operations against commerce. II is
not wholly satisfying TO admnistra.-
ton officials that Great Britain and
France shall announce that their
cruiser activities will be confined TO
the waters of Europe, including the
Mediterranean Sea. The United States
expects a definite delimitation will be
made later.
One thing made certain to-day was
that no mention of any curtailment or
the national revenues through the ac-
tivities of the All will be suggested
by this government il. any protest 1t
may ma, for it is known it would re-
ceive no consido raticn. The hope of
the administratio is that thrC Agh
diplomatic representations the policy
of the allied governments may be so
modified that interference with over
seas co merce will be reduced to
minimum.