Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1915-03-30
THE NOTE no GREAT BRITAIN.

THE NOTE TO GREAT BRITAIN.
The American note to Great Brit
ain and France, objecting to the at
tempted enforcement Of new and ar
bitrary rules for the capture of neu-
trail vessels at sea, is to go forward
this week. 1t is unoflicially described
as a document which win bring the
attention of the governments con-
ccrned to the fact that they arc act
ing without warrant OF international
law or established custom and that
the United States cannot accept the
new rules as binding upon its COM
merce. The suggestion is made that
the allies confine their blockade to
defined areas, and that no attempt be
made to take possession of neutral
vessels outside the defined area, or
to interfere with the free passage Of
commerce between neutral nations.
Americans OF all Republi-
cans as well as Democrats-stand
solidly behind the President and the
Secretary Of State in making a digni-
fed but most emphatic protest to
Great Britain and France. III the
note soon to be delivered is unmis-
taxable in upholding American
rights, it will meet with the universal
approval OF Americans If 1t fails TO
do this, the nation will not be salts
fed.
Tho rights of neutrals are just as
well understood in London as in
Washington. Great Britain knows
exactly what her duties are as we'll
as her rights as a belligerent IF she
wishes to retain the friendship Of the
United States she will recognize this
countrys rights to carry on COM
merco in noncontraband articles, and
she will not attempt to seize as CON
traband that which is not contra
band She viii not take vessels
bound for Norway or Sweden or
Denmark und divert them to English
ports, there to ''requisition" the car
goes for the benefit of the British
government and to the injury OF
American exporters and their for
eign customers. rhe Fact that Great
Britain pays for these cargoes is not
q sufficient satisfaction for the in
jury done The money does not pay
for broken commercial ties, disloca-
tion OF business caused by failure TO
receive cargoes, abandonment of es-
tablished commercial relations, and
disruption Of contracts covering
goods in transit
The attempt to starve out Germany
is a failure. II cannot succeed.
Every vacant spot in the neighbor-
hood of the centers Of population in
Germany is under cultivation, even
the railroad rights of way being
lined with beds Of vegetables. Well
informed travellers just returned
from Germany are unanimous in the
opinion that Germany will produce
q larger crop this summer than ever
before in her history. Therefore the
Gordon around Germany will so for
naught, so far as starving that en-
pirc is concerned.
Americans have no concern with
contraband Of war, and hence it is
none Of their business whether or
not Great Britain is successful in
cutting off the supply of copper,
arms, and even foodstuffs bound for
Germany; but they are deeply con
cerned in the uninterrupted flow Of
commerce to neutral nations in arr
ticles which are not intended for war
purposes Great Britain has no right
to meddle with this commerce, and
every American hopes that the ad-
ministration viii make this fact plain
in Its forthcoming note