South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-09
NEXT SEIZURE
WILL BRING NOTE
Detention by England of Cargo
for Neutral Port May
Get Protest.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 9.-The next
seizure and detention. OF Great Britain
OF an American ship or cargo bound
to a neutral port will be made the
subject OF a special protest by the
state department, which may even de-
mand disavowal OF. the act. Such a
protest, It IS believed viii have the
effect OF throwing into congress the
whole question Of aggression by the
allies on American commerce.
Department officials have heard that
members Of congress are preparing
themselves for debate, in the expecta-
ton that congress viii be called upon
20 formulate a plan for reckoning With
Great Britain. An official stated today
that while the establishment Of an
embargo might have the effect Of
bringing Great Britain TO terms by
cutting off a market which is vital
TO her. Il might be open 10 the techni-
cal objection OF being a retaliatory
measure. He pointed out that the
American notes had consistently de-
nounced retaliation between Germany
and Great Britain as wrong in princi-
pie.
Illegal Blockade Grounds.
Neither Sec'y Of State Lansing nor
any OF the higher officials OF the gov
eminent will admit officially the
character OF the next representations
10 Great Britain. This much, however
is certain:
The United States has declared that
the blockade by Great Britain Of the
ports Of Holland, Norway and Sweden
is illegal This declaration, whether
IL be admitted or denied by Great
Britain, furnishes the pivotal point Of
which a protest on new grounds can
be made. 1t IS stated that if between
now and the time Great Britain an
swers the note published Monday she
stops an American vessel on the high
seas which is bound for a neutral port,
the United States must ask her to dis
avow the seizure II, however, Great
Britain IN such case should contend
that the vessel seized is owned or part
~ owned by Germans, the case would
be duly considered by diplomatic ex-
changes. Even in such a case the
United States will maintain that the
evidence of such ownership should be
obtained during the actual search Of
the vessel at sea
officials here realize that when this
government told Great Britain that
her blockade Of neutral ports was
illegal. new grave danger arose. 1t
is admitted that the state department
must OF necessity apply its rule to any
case OF seizure and not only protest
specifically but demand the immediate
cessation of such practices by the Brit
ish cruisers.
Say Demand Justified.
The belief that a demand for cessa-
ton OF the practice OF seizure of YES
sells going TO neutral ports will be in
cluded is justified. in the opinion of
officials. by the following warning in
the note published Monday:
Relying upon the regard Of the
British government for the principles
OF justice so frequently and uniformly
manifested prior 10 the present war,
this government anticipates that the
British government will instruct their
officers to refrain from these vexatious
and illegal practices"
Sec'y OF State Lansing declined to
construe the significance of the word
anticipates" as used in this para
graph. One OF the officials. however,
said that il is to be construed as
meaning that Great Britain has been
put on notice that the United States
regards the filing OF the note as ex-
pressing the determined attitude of
this government. and that Great Brit
ain Is expected 10 cease the practices
from the moment Of the receipt of
Sec'y Lansing's note.
State department officials said Mon
day that Great Britain has not vet
answered the United States request
for an explanation of the seizure OF
the Hooking. Thew added significantly
that Great Britain should have replied
promptly, because it is the practice Of
a cruiser capturing a vessel and TAX
ing her into a prize court to report
the cause Immediately to the British
admiralty