Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-26
British Note JuStitieS
the Sea Blockade
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

WIN IN l FL I hpM IANt oNt
that new devices for dispatching
goods to the enemy must be met by
new methods of applying the funda~
mental and acknowledged principles
OF the right To intercept such trade"
AT some length the note argues the
imposslbllity of making searches at
sea, for various reasons among which
are weather, the size of modern
steamships and the manner in which
contrahand has been concealed. A re-
port from Admiral Sir John Jellico.
commander of the grand fleet, based
upon his experiences of Is month, is
included. After summing up the cir
cumstanccs which, IT is contended,
work for less hardship upon trade by
sending ships to port for search in
stead of searching them at sea, be-
sides the added danger of submarine
attack while search is in progress.
Admiral Jeilico's report concludes by
saying:
Difference in Procedure.
The 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
!
direct ContraVention of their own
prize regulations =. We eX-
anime them, giving as little inconven-
fence as modern naval conditions will
allow, sending them into port only
where this becomes necessary"
The note adds that further reason
for bringing ships into harbor is the
necessity Tor close examination of all
suspected persons which has been
made necessary by the German prac-
tice of misusing United States pass
ports to procure u safe conduct for
military persons and agents"
At great length the note discusses
the question OF proofs OF the destina-
uun of con'rahand.
Has Fundamental Right.
"rhe right OF a belligerent to in
terccpt contraband on its way to his
enemy it says, lis fundamental and
incontestiblc, and ought not be TO re-
stricted to intercepting contraband
which happens to be accompanied ON
board the ship by proofs sufficient to
condemn it, What Is essential is to
determine whether or not the goods
were ON their way to the enemy. "
they were. u holligcrcnt is entitled to
dctain them and, having regard to the
nature of the struggle in which the
allies are engaged, tneN are compeliei
TO take the most effectual steps to
exercise that right
In long discussion Of prize court
procedure the note gives assurances
that the orders in council do not over
ride international law and that the
prize court has fun power to decide
that any given act under those orders
is Illegal and to entertain any claim
for compensation on that basis, That
assurance seemingly is borne out by
the recent decision of the privy coun-
ell in the case of the Zamorra hand
ed down since the note was drafted,
which secures to neutrals the right to
invoke laws before the British prize
court as against the orders of the
British government.
Cites Figures.
AS in previous note in answer to
the contention that commerce of the
United states is being destroyed by
the British interfcronces. figures is
sued by the United states department
OF commerce are quoted TO show that
exports to the Scandinavian countries
and Holland Increased from $4,000
600 in 1913 to s2S5,000.000 in 1915.