The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-06
AMERICAN PROTEST
O|GN|F|EO But IS
NOT THREATENING
Puts England on Notice That
There Must Come Day Of
Reckoning for Damages
Clear Statement of
International Law
Virtual Blockade of Neutral
Ports an Attack Upon Sow
creign Rights of Nations NOT
Engaged in war

" aSfnngt0n, April 0.-Whiic
protesting vigorously against GER
tain features of the Alles' block
ade of Germany, the United States
Govcrnment h not yet induIgtnx In
any threats or otherwise attempt-
Ing To coerce Great Britain into
conducting her war operations in
conformity with what this Gov
ernment Considers TO be the law
OF nations This was made clear
here tonight with the issuance OF
the note of the United States To
Great Britain with respect to the
British orders In council making
effective the plan of the Allies to
cut OF all trade with Germany.
The American note IL essentially q
lawyers argument, Trained with view
Of upholding what this Government
conceives to he the law. rather than
In the expectation of achieving any
substantial modification OF the British
policy. Its tone is more solemn than
severe,
Notice is served that the United
States will look 10 Great Britain to
make PREPARATION for every act which
under the rules Of international Law
constitutes a violation Of neutral
rights"
This announcement that the United
States viii demand com pensation for
every loss growing out OF specific acts
of British Interference with American
trade in violation of what are con-
s.dered to be American rights 10 the
sole reference contained In the note to
the Intentions OF the United States In
the premises. Settlement Ia thus put
upon a basis OF dollars and cents. and
1t Is generally conceded that for the
present this represents the full meas
ure OF what the United States Il In =
position to do.
Text OF American Note. 1.
THE Government of the United
Nates has given careful consideraa
ton to the subjects TT N.ed in thA
British notes of March Ia and March
10, and TO tho British orders in couu-
Gil of the latter date.
These communications contalH
matters OF grave importance to neu.
trail nations. They appear u menace
their rights of trade and intercourse,
not only with lsaliigcrents, but alsu
with ono another. They call FOR fsnuk
comment In order that misunior-
standings NAV be avertesl The Gov
eminent of the United States deems
1t fts duty, speaking In the slnccrcxc
friendship. to make its own view and
position with regard to thteH unmls-
takabiy clear.
iHe oraer IN council of the 10TH
of March would constitute. were its
provisions 10 be actually carried into
effect as they stand, a practical asser-
ton Of unlimited beil,geren, rights
over neutral commerce within the
whoIe European area. and an almost
unqualified denial OF the sovereign
rights OF the nations now at peace.
This Government takes Il for
granted that there can be no uues-
ton what those rights are. A m.
tons sovereignty over its own ahips
and citizens under it's own flag on the
Ngh seas in time OF peace IL, oH
course. unlimited and tina. scver-i
eighty suffers no diminution in time
OF war. except in 80 far as the prnc-
tfce andc onsent Of civilized nations
has limited it by the recognition On
certain now clearly determined rlRhfu
which IL IS conceded may be exer-f
cised by nations which are ut wnrt
Belhgrrcnt ights.
beliigerent nation has been CON-
coded the right OF visit ana search
and the right of capture and condem.
nation II. upon examination. a nau-.
trail vessel Is found TO be engaged n
unneutral service or to be CARRYING
coltraoand of war intended for the
enemy's government or armed force1.
IL has been conceded the right % -
tabl1sh and maintain a blockade 81
an eneny's ports and coasts and n
capture and condemn enemy veueola
taken in trying TO break the blockade.
1t is even conceded the right TO de-
tain and take to it's own ports foI4
judicial examination all vessels which
1t suspects for substantial reasons a
be engaged In unneutrAl or contf4-
band service, and to condemn tAoIlA
II the suspicion is sustained. 4tt4