The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-06

it HptS ieNieWS dI length the leRa phases of a blockade of belligerent ter ritory and virtual blockade of neutra coasts. In conclusion the United States cites its expectation that Great Britain after having considered "the possibilities of serious interruption of American trade under the order in council, will take tho necessary steps to avoid them, and, ir the event that they should unhappily oc- cur, will be prepared to make full repar- ation for every act, which, under the rules of international law constitutes g violation of neutral rights
 U. S. VIEW OF
 SITUATION
 The American communication interprets the circumstances under which Great Britain claims to be justified in adopt ing retaliatory measures toward her enc mics as merely reason for certain ex- traordinary activities by her maya forces, land not an excuse for or pre- Jude to any unlawful action"
 "If the course of the present enemies of Great Britain.'' the note adds, should { prove In fact to be tainted by illegality and disregard of the principles of wal sanctioned by enlightened nations, it can not be supposed and this government does not for a moment suppose that his ma jesty's government would wish the same tant to attach to their own actions.'
 Ambassador Sharp at Paris was in structed to present a copy of the Ameri- can note to Great Britain to the French foreign office with the statement thai . although the French admiralty decres ) had not been received officially in Wash ington, it was understood here to be iden- ticaI with the British order in council and the American government, therefore made similar reply.
 The text of the note to Great Britain follows:
 The Secretary of State to the Ameri-
 can Ambassador at London.
 Washington, March 30, 1915.
 You are instructed to deliver the following to his .majestys government in reply to your numbers 1795 and 179s of March:
 The government of the United States have given careful consideration to the subjects treated in the British notes of March IS and March 15, and to the British order in council of the latter date.
 ters of grave importance to neutral na- tions. They appear to menace their rights of trade and intercourse not only with belligerents but also with one an- other. They call for frank comment in order that misunderstanding may be avoided. The government of the United States deems it its duty therefore speaking In the sincerest spirit of friendship, to make it's own view and position with regard to them unmis- takably clear.
 The order in council of the March 15 would constitute, were its provisions to be actually carried into effect as they stand, practical assertion of unlimited belligerent rights over neutral com merce within the whole European area and an almost unqualified denial of the sovereign rights of the nations now at peace.
 ''This government takes it for granted that there can be no question what those rights are A nations sovereignty over its own ships and citizens under its own flag on the high seas in time of peace is, of course, unlimited; and that SOW ereignty suffers no diminution in time of war. except in so far as the practice and consent of civilized nations has limited it by the recognition of cer- tain now clearly determined rights, which it is conceded may be exercised by nations which are at war.
 Right of Neutrals "A belligerent nation has been con- ceded the right of visit and search, and the right of capture and condemnation if upon examination a neutral vessel is found to be engaged in unneutral ser | vice or to be carrying contraband oi war intended for the enemys govern ment or armed forces. It has been con. ceded the right to establish and main.