Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-27

arrived safely at Rotterdam . .doy or :
erous complaints similar to the fore
going have been received by this gov
eminent, the details Of which are
available, but believe, have cited
sufficient facts to show the un-
precedented and vexatious nature Of
the interference with mails persisted in
by British and French authorities Not
only are American commercial inter-
ests injured, but rights Of property
are violated and the rules of inter-
national law and custom are palpa-
bly, disregarded. I can only add that
this offense has led to such losses to
American citizens, and to a possible
responsibility Of the United States to
repair them, that this government
will be compelled in the near future to
press claims for full reclamation upon
the attention Of His Majesty's gov
eminent and that Of the French Re
public
The principle being plain and definite.
and the present practice Of the govern
ments Of Great Britain and France being
will state more in detail the position Of
the government Of the United States III
regard to the treatment Of certain classes
of sealed mails under a strict application
Of the principle upon which our govern
ments seem to be in general accord. Tho
government of the United States is in
clined to the opinion that the class of
mail matter which includes stocks. bonds,
coupons and similar securities Is to be
regarded as of the same nature as NOR
chandise or other articles of property a1d
subject to the same exercise Of belliger-
ent rights. Money orders, checks. drafts,
notes and other negotiable instruments
which may pass as the equivalent Of mon
ey 1t is considered also to be classed as
merchandise. Correspondence. including
shipping documents. money order lists
and papers of that character, even though
relating to enemy supplies or exports"
unless carried on the same ship as the
property referred to, are, in the opinion
of this government. to be regarded as
genuine correspondence and entitled to
unmolested passage.
The government Of the United States In
view of the improper methods employed
by the British and French authorities in
interrupting mails passing between the
United States and other neutral countries
and between the United States and the
enemies Of Great Britain, can no longer
tolerate the wrongs which citizens Of the
United States have suffered and continue
to suffer through these methods.
To submit to a lawless practice Of
this character would open the door
to repeated violations Of international
laws by the belligerent powers on the
ground Of military necessity Of which
the violator would be the sole judge.
Manifestly neutral nations cannot per-
NIT its rights on the high seas to be
determined by belligerents or the ex-
ercise Of this right to be permitted
or denied arbitrarily by the govern
ment of warning nation. The rights
of neutrals are as sacred as the rights
Of belligerents and must be as strict
ly observed.
The government Of the United States
confident in the regard for interna-
tional law and the rights of neutrals
which the British and French govern
ments have so often proclaimed and
the disregard of which they urged so
vigorously against the enemies in the
present war, expects the present prac-
tice of the British and French authori-
ties in the treatment of mails from or
to the United States to cease and
belligerent rights as exercised to con-
form to the principle governing the
passage Of mail matter and to the
recognized practice of nations. Only a
radical change in the present British
and French policy. restoring to the
United States it's full rights as a neu-
trail power, will satisfy this govern
ment.
ROBERT LANSING.