Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-08-03

eept freight from them they are likely
W pe denied coal at British ports and
eAciuded from other privileges which
.hey nave usually enjoyed, and may
themselves De put on the blacklist.
neutral bankers refuse to answer To
those on the list and neutral merchants
oecnhe to contract for their goods.
rearing like prescription.
1t appears that the British officials
regard the appearance of the blacklist
as applicable to domestic commercial
transactions In foreign countries as well
as In Great Britain and her dependen-
cles Tor Americans doing business in
roreign countries have been put on
notice that their dealings are to be re-
garded as subject to veto by the British
government. By the same principle
Americans IN, the United States might
be made subject to similar punitive ac-
tlon II they were found dealing with
any OF their own countrymen whose
names had thus been listed.
The harsh and even disastrous eff
fects OF this policy upon the trade Of
the united States and upon the neu-
tral rights upon which it will not fail
to insist are obvious. Upon the list of
those prescribed and in effect shut out
from the general commerce of the world
may be found American concerns who
are engaged in large commercial opera
tons as importers of as distributors of
American products and manufactures to
foreign countries and which consists of
important channels through which
American trade reaches the outside
world. Their foreign affiliations may
have been fostered for many years and
when once broken cannot easily or
promptly be re-established. Other
firms may be put on the list at any time
and without notice. 1t is understood
that additions may be made whenever
on account of enemy nationality or
enemy association of such persons OF
bodies of persons it appears to his ma
jesty expedient to do so.' The possibil-
tiles are underserved injury to American
citizens from such measures, arbitrarily
taken, and of serious and incalculable
interruptions of American trade are
without limit.
cit has been stated on behalf of his
majesty's government that these
measures were aimed only at the enc.
mics of Great Britain and would be
adopted and enforced with strict re-
gard to the rights of neutrals and with
the least possible detriment to neutral
trade, but it is evident that they are
inevitably and essentially inconsistent
with the rights of the citizens of all the
nations not involved in war The gov
ernment of the United States begs tt
, remind the government of his Britanni,
majesty that citizens of the United
] States are entirely within their rights
in attempting to trade with the peopl,
of the government of any nations nov
at war, subject only to well-defined in
ternational practices and understand
ings which the government of the Unit
ed States deems the government o
Great Britain to have too lightly AM
too frequently disregarded. There ar
wellknown remedies and penalties fo
breaches of blockade where the block
ade is real and in fact effective, fo
trade in contraband for every unneutra
act by whomsoever attempted. TIL
government of the United States canno
consent to see these remedies and penal
ties altered or extended at the will o
T single power or group of powers to tn
injury of its own citizens or in dero
cation of it's own rights. Conspicuou
among the principles which the civilize
the safeguarding of the rights of net
I trails is the just and honorable principl
that neutrals may not be condemned nc
their goods confiscated except upon fai
adjudication and after an opportunit
: to be heard in prize courts or elsewher'
y Such safeguards the blacklist brushe
aside. 1t condemns without hearin,
without notice and in advance. It
! q H. hot
government of the United States shoul
n aequiesce in such methods as applicant
e of punishment to its citizens.
+, Whatever may be said with regar
o to the legality in the view of intern'
s tional obligation if the act of parliame1
/ upon which the practice of the blacl
e list as now employed by his majesty
government is understood to be base
IS the government of the United States
t constrained to regard that practice {
IS inconsistent with the fine justice, si1
d cere amity and impartial fairness whic
e should characterize the dealings {
Y friendly governments with one anothe
e The spirit of reciprocal trade betwee
d the United States and Great Britai
h the privilege long accorded to IL
e nationels of each to come and go vii
If their ships and cargoes, each TO III
e each others shipping and to serve eac
# by the other IS merchants, is vel
y seriously impaired by arbitrary an
IS sweeping practices such as this. The
l. is no purpose or inclination on the pa
e of the government of the United Stat
e to shield American citizens or busine
> houses in any way from the legitima
consequences of unneutral acts or pra
e tees; it is quite willing that they shou
e suffer the appropriate penalties whi'
international law and the usage of n
y tions have sanctioned; but his BRITAIN
r maiesty's government cannot expect Il
government of the United States to co
D. sent to see its citizens put on an expar
ID blacklist, without calling the attentit
"a of his majesty's government, in Il
IN gravest terms, to the many serious co
d Sequences to neutral rights and neutr
e relations which such an act must ne
i essarily involve. 1t hopes and beliey