Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-04-27

Washington. April c5.-The latest
British note, 1900 words long. in an
swer to American protests against al
lied Interference with neutral trade
made public tonight at the state de-
partment. contends that the practices
complained of are "juridcally sound and
valid and that the relief which neu-
trails seek is rather to be obtained by
the mitigation of necessary hardships
than by abrupt changes, either in the
theory or application of n policy based
upon admitted principles of international
law carefully adjusted to the altered
condition of modern warfare"
It discloscs that IAN impartial and
influential commission" has been APP
pointed to find ways TO minimize delays
and pledges the allies to make their
restraints on trade as little burdensome
to neutrals as possible.
The note, in which the French gov
eminent concurs. rciterates the military
necessity of regulating commerce to
neutrals contiguous to Germany and
1ustties the effectiveness Of the block
AIDE which was challenged by the last
American note
More diplomatic correspondence over
tne issue Is expected to follow.
APPROVES u. S. STAND.
The unanimity Of sentiment among the
worlds neutrals for the protection Of
neutral rights is recognized in the Brit
ish note which refers to the subject in
terms embracing not the rights Of trade
alone. 1t says in conclusion:
His Maiesty's government have
noted with sincere satisfaction the init
nation contained in the concluding
passages of the United States note, of
the intention OF the United States to
| undertake the task of championing the
! integrity Of neutral rights.
The first act of this war was the I'M
provoked invasion by the enemy Of neu-
trail territory; that of Belgium-which
he was solemnly pledged by treaty to
protect. The disregard of neu-
trail rights has since been extended to
naval warfare by the wanton destruc-
ton OF neutral merchant ships on the
high seas regardless Of the lives Of
those on board. = His Majesty's
| government would welcome any COM
bnation of neutral nations under the
, lead of the United States which would
exert an effective influence to prevent
cannot believe that they or their allies
| have much to fear from any combina-
ton for the protection of those rights
which takes an impartial and compre-
hensive view Of the conduct Of this war
and judges it by reasonable interpre-
tation of the generally accepted provis-
ions of international law and by the
rules Of humanity that have hitherto
! nDDrOVnI hN i1-ii
At the outset the note suggests that the
American complaint is not so much tina
shipments intercepted really were intend
! ed for use in the European neutral coun-
tries to which they were despatched, as
that the despatch of goods to Great Brit
aims enemy had been frustrated by meth
DDS not hitherto employed by bellgercnts.
! GERMAN DEVICES MUST BE NET.
! 1T would seem" says the note. .'to be
n fair reply to such n contention that new
devices for despatching goods to the enc
! my must he met by new methods of ap-
plying the fundamental and acknowledged
principles of the right to intercept such
trade"
At some length the note argues the i'm
possibility Of making searches at sea, for
various reasons among which are wealth
er. the size of modern steamships and the
manner in which contraband has been
concealed. a report from Admiral Sir
John Jellicoe, commander Of the grand
fleet. based upon his experience of Is
months is included. After summing up
the circumstances which ii is contended
work for less hardship upon trade by
sending ships to port for search instead
of searching them at sea, besides the add
ed danger of submarine attack while
search is In progress, Admiral Jellicoe S
report concludes by saying:
! LOOKS TO NEUTRALS COMFORT
"'rhe difference between the British
and the German procedure Is that we
have acted in the way which causes
the least discomfort to neutrals. In
stead OF sinking neutral ships engaged
in trade with the enemy, as the Ger
mans have done in so many cases, In
direct contravention to their own prize
regulations. we examine them
giving as little inconvenience as mod
ern naval conditions will allow, send
ing them into ports Only where this
! becomes necessary"
The note adds that a further reason
for bringing ships into harbor is the
necessity for close examination of all
suspected persons, which has been
made necessary by "the German prac-
tice OF misusing United States pass
ports to procure safe conduct for
military persons or agents"
At length the note discusses the
question of proofs of the destination
of contraband.
The right of a belliGerent to inter
cept contraband on Its way to his