The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-04-08
AMERICA INSISTS
ON |7SSEA RIGHTS
Britain Must Pay for Losses
Caused by Blockade.
MENACE TO ALL NEUTRALS
Germany Requested to Pay for Loss OF
the William p. Frye and Care
Is Taken to Avoid
Offense.

Washington, April 6.-That the Will
icy designed to minimize friction with
European belligerents and retain the
United States at peace is evidenced by
the latest notes to Great Britain and
Germany made public here.
These notes set forth the we'll
known rights of neutrals, but do SO
in a manner that cannot possibly give
offense to the governments receiving
them.
Asks Damages Only
That to Germany merely requests
a monetary reparation for the destruc-
ton of the American schooner William
p Frye. That to Great Britain and
France expresses objection to the
British order in council in "The sim
cerest spirit of friendship" and in
accordance with the uniform candor'
which has characterized the relations
of the two governments in the past.
The note to Great Britain indicates
that in the event of violation Of our
rights the United States will seek no
other recourse than that of reparation,
and the action taken with reference to
the Frye shows that the reparation re-
quired will be only of a monetary char.
acter.
Summary of Views.
The views presented by the United
States with reference to the British
t.. Ill rty ~I
upon the policy Germany is pursuing
in maintaining war zone about the
British isles. There they have
double Importance. Summarized, they
are:
The British order in council appears
to menace neutral rights Of trade and
intercourse, not only with the belliger-
ents but with each other. 1t consti-
tutes a practical assertion of unlim-
tied belligerent rights over neutral
commerce within the whole European
area
1t makes an almost unqualified de-
NAL of the sovereign rights Of the ma
lions now at peace. Even though a
blockade should exist. innocent ship
ments transported to and from the
United States through neutral coun-
tries to belligerent territory ought not
to be subject to interruption. There
can be no dispute over the principle
set forth in the declaration Of Paris
that free ships make free goods" II
the United States were to acquiesce
Du,x f,1, In
would thereby assume an attitude OF
Immortality toward the present enc
mics of Great Britain. The blockade
established by the order in council is
novel and quite unprecedented and
constitutes a distinct invasion of the
l. sovereign rights of the nation whose
ships and trade are interfered with.
If the course pursued by Germany
should prove to be in fact tainted by
illegality and disregard Of the princi-
Piles of war sanctioned by enlightened
nations, this government does not for
a moment suppose that Great Britain
would wish the same faint to attach
to it's actions The United States
notes with satisfaction certain allevia-
tory provisions of the order in coun.
ell and takes for granted that Ameri-
can merchantmen sailing for neutral
ports will not be disturbed.
The United States believes the Brit
ish government has seriously consid-
cred the impeachment and embarrass-
ment to neutral commerce which strict
enforcement of the order will impose,
| and in case Of such enforcement ex-
poets that government to make full
reparation for every act which, under
the rules of international law, consti~
tutes violation of neutral rights"