The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-01-01

reasonable belief that Tho SHIPMENTS
had in reality a b%clligerent dostina-
ZION. as that term is used in interna-
tional law. Mere suspicion is moi
evidence and doubts should be re.
solved in favor OF neutral commerce..
MOI against II. The effect upon trade
In these articles between neutral M
liens resulting from interrupted vow
ages and detained cargOes is not en-
tiroly cured by reimbursement of the
owners Tor the damages. which thev
hay" suffered, after Investigation has
rallied 10 establish an enemy destina-
o The injury is To American com
nieIcc with neutral countries AS p
whole through the hazard OF the en-
tc'Drise and the repeated diver sion OF
goods from established markets.
1T also appears that cargoes o.
ms character have been seized by the
british authorities because OF n belief
that. though not originally so intend
ell by the shippers, they Will Ultimate
~ reach the territory ri The enemies
of Great Britain. Yet this belief is
frequently reduced to Il mere fear i'm
view of the embargoes which have
been decreed bv tho neutral countries
to which they are destined. on the
articles composing the rgo
THAT a consignment to order Of ar
ticles listed as conditional contra
ban dand shipped TO Il neutral port
raises a legal presumption of enemy
destination appears to be directly con-
trary to the doctrines previously held
by Great Britain and thus stated by
Lord Salisbury during The South Al
ricun war:
~
Foodstuffs. though having a hos
tile destination. can be considered as
contraband or n only If they are
for he enemy forces: 1t is not sufIi-
Client that they are capable of being
so used; II must be shown that this
"A in fact their destination at the
time OF their seizure
with this statement as to condi-
tional c%ontraband the views of this
government are In entire accord, and
upon this historic doctrine, consistent
ly maintained by Great Britain when
a h%elligerent as well as a neutral.
American shippers were entitled to
rely.
Tho government of the United
States readily admits the full right Of
n belligerent to visit and search on
the high seas the vessels of American
q We ptntT htutIhI Vessels cur
rying American goods and to detaiD
them when there Is sufficient evidence
10 Justify n belief that eOntraband nr.
ticles are In their cargoes: but his
majesty's government, judging by their
own experience in the past. must
realize hat this government n not
without protest permit American ships
or American cargoes to be taken into
British ports and there detained for
the purpose OF searching generally for
evidence OF c%ontraband. or upon pre-
symptoms created by special munich
pal enactments which are clearly at
variance with International law and
practice.
This government believes, and ear
nestly homes his majesty's government
Will come TO the same belief, that a
course OF conduct more in conformity
with the rules of international usage
which Great Britain has strongly
sanctioned for many years. VII; III ilia
end better serve the interests Of bel
ligerents us well as those of neu-
trails.
Not only is the situation q critical
one to the commercial interests OF the
United States. but many OF the great
industries of this country. are suffer
Ing because their products are denied
long established markets in European
countries. which, though neutral, are
contiguous to the nations ct war.
Producers and exporters. steamship
and insurance companies are press
Ing. II not without reason. for re-
lief from the ena TO trans-Atian-
tic trade which is gradually but surely
destroying their business and therat-
ening them with financial disaster.
1.-The government of the United
States, still relying upon the deep
sense of justice Of the British ma
| ton, which has been SO often mani
tested in the intercourse between the
two countries during so many years of
uninterrupted friendship. expresses
confidently the hope that his majesty's
government will realize the obstacles
and difficulties which their present
| policy has placed In the way of COM
merce between the United States and
the neutral countries of Europe. and
will instruct It's officials to refrain
from all unnecessary interference
with the freedom OF trade between ma
lions which are sufferers, though not
participants. In the present conflict;
and will in their treatment of neutral
ships and cargoes conform more
closely to those rules governing the
maritime relations between belliger-
/, ents and neutrals, which have receiv-
cd the sanction OF the civilized world.
and which Great Britain has, in 9TH
er wars. go strongly n successfully
advocated.
I'm conclusion It should be i'm
pressed upon his majesty's govern
ment that the present condition OF
American trade with the neutral Eu-