The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-26
ALLIES INSIST
BLOCK ADE Is
WITHIN LAW
Britain and France, in Re-
ply to Protest, Promise
to Aid Neutrals.
SHIPPERS ACCUSED
OF USING DECEIT

II April e5.-The Joint re-
nj, Of Great Britain and France to the
American protest Of last November in
regard to restrictions on trade caused
lbs the blockade was made public by
the state Department to-day.
II is a lengthy memorandum which
deals in detail with the various points
raised by the American protest. Great
Britain and France maintain that the
blockade IL a fundamental belligerent
right, that ii is being conducted IN the
spirit of International law and with as
little inconvenience to neutrals as posi-
bic without rendering the blockade In
effective. The Entente Allies announce
their readiness to give favorable con-
sheraton to any proposal for the ale
Walton of the position OF neutrals pro-
yided that the substantial effectiveness
OF the measures now In force be not inn
paired"
The note first takes up questions re-
hkny to cargoes detained by the British
authorities in order to prevent them from
reaching an enemy destination.
Attemps ~ conceal! coEira band Ia
tended for the enemy and many devices
being used for despatching goods to the
enemy are given as the reason for the
necessity OF thoroughly investigating
cargoes bound for neutral ports con.
tiguous to Germany.
The size of modern vessels renders
search at sea often impracticable. it is
argued, and the ships are therefore taken
10 the nearest convenient ports.
Right Il Fundamental.
''The question Of the locality of the
search Is, however, one of secondary i'm
portance.' the note says. In the view
Of his Majcsty's Government. the right
OF a belligervnt to intercept band
on its way TO his enemy is fundamental
and .incontestable. and ought not to be
restricted to intercepting contraband
which happens to be accompanied on
bOard the ship by proof sufficient to
condemn IL.
"What is essential is to determine
whether or not the goods were on their
way TO the enemy. IL they were. "A bel
ligerent is entitled to detain them. and.
nav lHk ItedTu " Tue NATURE Vi ne SlTuk-
Gle in which the Allies are engaged. they
are compelled to take the most effectual
steps to exercise that right
After stating that prize court pro-
ceedings have been facilitated for the
benefit of neutrals. the note takes up the
American contention that much of the
export trade OF the United States to neu-
trail countries In Europe has practically
besn destroyed AS a result OF the block
ada al tho nAur ri, ...trt tr.n.lttvro
In Great Britain.
The first nine months in 1915" the
note continues. may be taken as a
period when the war conditions must
have been known TO all those engaged
in commerce In the United States of
America and when any injurious effects
Of the prize court procedure would have
been recognized.
Export Growth cited.
"During tina, period the exports from
the United states of America to the
three scandinavian countries and HUl-
land, the group of neutral countries
whose Imports have been most affected
by the naval operations OF the Allies
and by the procedure adopted in their
prize courts. amounted to s2I+,031. 900,
as compared with sl26. 1853, 900 in the
corresponding period Of 1913.
1T Is useless TO take into account the
corresponding figures of 1914 because
NJ the dislocation of trade caused by the
outbreak OF war, but taking the pre-
var months of 1914 the figures for 1913,
l?li and 1915 were as follows. 1919,
"7tso.0oo; 1914. sss,l32, 900: 1915,
S.3i, 900, 600.
In the face OF such figures it seems
impossible to accept the contention that
the new prize court procedure in Great
Britain has practically destroyed much
e.! the export trade of the United States
10 neutral countries In Europe, and the
Inference is suggested that IL complaints
have been made to the Administrator
Of Washington by would-be exporters
they euanated not from persons who
desired to engage In genuine commerce
with the neutral countries. but from
hose who desired to despatch goods to
: the enemy under cover of a neutraI
destination and who found it more dim
cul, to conceal the real facts from the
prize courts under the new procedure"
Intentions of shippers.
TIE assumption that goods shipped &c
neutral countries are intended for These
neutral countries and not for German,
is next referred to. The note says:
However sound the principle tina;
goods intended for Incorporation In the
common stock OF a neutral countr
should not lie treated as contraband ma.
he in theory, 1t is one thar can have
but little application to the present i'm
A Ports OF the scandinavian countries.
L The circumstances Of "A large nun
Der Of these shipments negative any con
,iuslon thAS they are bona fide shipments
ior the importing countries. Many OF
mem arr mAla tn DerEnnS who are An.