Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-18

marine mines, 1n0l6crlluluately ldlo by
the enemy on the high sens many miles
from the coast in the track Of mer-
chant vessels"
Is Neutral Ships Destroyed
up till now" continued the note.
twenty-five neutral vessels have been
reported as destroyed by mines on the
high seas: quite apart from all ques-
tons a breach OF treaties and the
destruction Of life, there is far more
reason for protest on the score Of bel
iigerent interference with innocent
neutral trade through the mines scat
'tered by the enemy than through the
British exercise Of the right Of selling
contraband.
Discussing the general proposition
that a belligerent is entitled to cap
ture contraband goods on their way
to the enemy. the British notes traces
the origin Of the right Of intercept
ton and speaks Of the new devices
encountered from time to time for
dispatching contraband goods to an
enemy. Here the doctrine Of continu-
ance voyage, as enunciated during the
Civil war by Secretary Seward is quot
ed at length and the question Of ul-
tuimate destination argued in legal de-
tail. To justify the detention Of sus-
pected cargoes when passing between
neutral countries and taking them in
to ports for examination, the cases VI
American practice during the Spanish
American war also are cited and the
note says these presidents are incon-
hA 20 Of
American government made to the
British ambassador at Washington on
the eth Of November. which insists
that search should be made on the
high seas. at te time OF the visit and
that the conclusion Of the search
should rest upon the evidence found
on the ship under investigation and
not upon circumstances ascertained
from esternal sources"
Search For Ships
The foreign secretary reiterates that
the increased size of steamships neces-
states search in calm waters, and in
sists that during the Russo-Japanese war
and also during the second Balkan war
British vessels were made to deviate
from their course and follow the cruis-
ers to some spot where the right Of
visit and search could be more con-
veniently carried out" and in both cases
although questioned at first, Great Bri-
tain finally acquiesced" To take ship
into port, the note contends is not to be
looked upon las a new belligerent right.
but as an adaptation Of the existing right
to the modern conditions Of commerce. "
and like all belligerent rights. 1t must
be exercised with due regard to peu-
trail interests and 1t would be unreason
able to expert neutral vessel to make
long devtations from her course for this
purpose" For this reason. 1t is asserted,
neutral merchantmen were encouraged to
visit some British port on their route to
avoid the alternative of keeping a vessel
waiting, perhaps for days, for better
weather conditions on the high seas,
Conversation Offered
Realizing that in no war have neutral
individuals mot occasionally suffered
from unjustifed belligerent action. -
Great Britain suggests that opportunities
for adequate compensation are offered
in the British prize courts, details of
which proceedings are given.
1T is the common experience of every
war" continues the note, that neutrals
whose attempts to engage in suspicious
trading are frustrated by a belligerent,
are wont to have recourse to their gov
eminent to urge that diplomatic remon-
strances should be made on their behalf
and that redress should be obtained for
them in this way. When an effective
mode OF redress is open to them in the
courts of a civilized country by which
they can obtain adequate satisfaction
for any invasion of their rights which
is contrary to the law of nations, the
only course which is consistent with
sound principle is that they should be
referred to that mode of redress and
that a diplomatic action should be taken
until their legal remedies have been ex-
hausted and they are in a position to
show prima facie deniaIs of Justice
Spanish War Recalled
The British government recalls that il
followed this course with it's own ships
during the American Civil War and the
Spanish-American War.
In connection with the subject Of
detentions Ambassador Page is re-
minded that he has now been sup
piled by the British foreign Office
with particulars Of every ship under
American colors detained and Of ev-
cry shipment of cargo in which an
American citizen appears to be the
party interested; not only is the fact
Of detention notified to Your Excellen-
but, SO far as is practicable, the
grounds upon which the vessel or
cargo had been detained are also COM
municated to you, a concession which
enables any United States citizen to
take steps at once to protect his in
terests.''
Contraband Articles
Turning to the question of condi-
tional contraband and foodstuffs, the
note says:
"No country had maintained more
stoutly than Great Britain in modern
times the principle that a belligerent
should abstain from interference with
the foodstuffs intended for the civil
population. The circumstances Of the
present struggle are causing His
Majesty's government some anxiety
as to whether the existing rules with
regard to conditional contraband,
framed as they were with the object
of protecting, so far as possible, the