The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-19
NO ANSWER MADE
ON BLOCKADE QUERY
State Department Says That Neither
France Nor Great Britain Has Re-
piled, and So No Further Ac-
tion Has Been Taken.

Washington, d. c., March l9.-The
United States government considers that
Great Britain and France, in the British
order in council and in the accompany
ing notes, have not answered the ques-
tions propounded to them as TO what
warrant there is under international law
for the establishment of an embargo on
all commercial intercourse, directly ana
indirectly, between Germany and neutral
countries.
It was stated officially at the state
department that this government stlll
does not know whether the action OF the
allies is intended as legal blockade, or
whether the ordinary rules of contraband
are to be the legal basis for future
detentions.
On determination of this question
probably viii 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 many claims for dam
ages arising out of interruptions to
American commerce and the new policy
of the allies.
In preparing the protest to be sent to
Great Britain and France the position Of
the United States is substantially as
follows:
"l--If the action of the allies is a
blockade, all commerce directly with o'er-
many can be halted by making the block
ade effective, "a certain radius of activity
being allowed for the blockading war
ships off the German coast because OF
newly developed activities of submarines.
But there can be no legal blockade OF the
coast of neutral countries OF Europe,
contiguous to those at war, under any
circumstances, and commerce between
the United States and neturals, especial
ly in non-contraband, should be free
from interruption irrespective of ulti-
mate destination.
off the action is not a blockade,
then there exists no legal right 70 detain
cotton or other non-contraband cargoes'
even when consigned directly to German
ports. Nor can foodstuffs or conditional
contraband be Justly interrupted unless
proven, though unconsigned to Germany,
to be destined for the use of its bellig-
erent forces and not its civilian popula-
tion. Under the same circumstances, too,
there is no Legal basis for OBTAINING car
goes consigned from the United States
to neutral countries in Europe, if con
tanning cotton or non-contraband goods,
irrespective of ultimate destination.
Similarly, the allies cannot, under the
previously accepted principles Of lnterna-
tional law, interrupt shipments of food
stuffs and other conditional contraband
en- route between the United States and
neutral countries, unless clearly proven
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
or non-eontraband, thus pre-
venting supplies from reaching Germany
With this sovereign right, the United
States does not take issue, but i viii
insist on its right to ship 10 neutral
placing the burden Of stopping
further progress on the latter nations
themselves.
"In considering the above propositions,
officials realize that Great Britain and
her allies have set up the claim that their
actions constitute retAliatory measures
against Germany, but this, in view Of
the American government, does not az
feet the status Of international law a.
between the United States and the bel
ligerents.
Attitude Unchanged
"The American attitude has not been
changed materially as a result Of the eN
plantations in the exchange Of notes With
Great Britain and France. In whatever
or protests are made by
- -. g. a
its rights, there will be a reiteration, il
is understood, Of the questions by the
United States In its identical inquiry
10 Great Britain and France.
"In this the allies were asked whether
the rules Of blockade or the rules gov.
erning contraband and non-contraband
were 70 be followed, application Of both
together viewed a. having no precedent