Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-15
ing or shipping or engaged in carry
ing supplies required by the allies.
No Adequate Action Taken.

"Such operations have been carried
out in the territory even of the
United States itself and | am bound
to observe, what | do not think will
be denied, that no adequate action
yet has been taken by the government
OF the United States to suppress
breaches OF neutrality Of this particu-
larly, criminal kind, which ! know
they are the first to discountenance
and deplore.
in the face Of enemy activities Of
this nature it was essential for his
majesty's government to take steps
that should at least deprive interests
so strongly hostile Of the facilities
and advantages of unrestricted trad
ing with British subjects. The public
opinion OF this country would not
have tolerated the prolongation Of the
war by the continued liberty of Brit
ish subjects to trade with and so en-
rich the firms in foreign countries
whose wealth and influence were
alike at the service OF the enemy
Basis Of the Note.
The note is based largely on the
argument that there is no assumption
of Great Britain OF power to interfere
with neutral trade, but that the black
list is a matter of municipal law en-
joining British subjects from trading
with persons found to be assisting or
rendering service to the enemy. II
disclaims any intention OF imposing
disabilities or penalties on neutral
trade.
y can scarcely believe" it says,
chat the United States government in
tends 10 challenge the right Of Great
Britain as sovereign state to pass
legislation prohibiting all those who
owe it allegiance, from trading with
any specified persons when such pro-
hibition is found necessary in the pub
lie interest. The right is SO obvious
that feel sure that the protest which
your excellency has handed to me is
founded on a misconception of the
scope and intent Of the measures
which have been taken"
Rights Of Neutrals.
The note says the British govern
ment readily admits, the contention Of
the United States that neutrals have
the right to trade with belligcrents,
but that the United States must also
admit that the right Of one belliger-I
cnt to stop this trade by lawful means
as seizures Of contraband or block
ade. But this particular legislation it
goes on to say is not OF this character.
at u.s." says the note, IAN exercise
Of the sovereign rights OF an indie
pendent state over its own citizens
and nothing more"
1t is pointed out that even firms in
allied nations are being placed on the
list where there is reason to believe
that British subjects should not trade
with them and the assertion made
that the measure is not one against
American trade in particular, but a
part Of general neutral operations de-
signed TO weaken the emcnmy's re-
sources"
Danger to Neutral Commerce.
Answering the American contention
that there is serious danger to neutral
commerce in the British ability to cx-
tend the list where it seems cxpedi-
ent, the note says that this is true,
but that the American government
may rest assured that this ystem
OF prohibition will not be carried fur
Their than is absolutely necessary"
1T has been forced upon u.s." con-
tinues the note, "by the circumstances
Of the present war To extend It be-
You'd what is required in order to Sc
cure its immediate purpose--the weak
ening Of our opponents--or to allow
it to interfere with what is really the
genuine neutral trade Of country
with which we desire to have the
closest commercial intercourse, would
| be contrary to British interests. The
advantage derived from criminal
transaction between British subject
and foreigner is mutual"
Vicecount Greys says there are per-
sons in the United States almost i'm