Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-20

more nagging Sea power has enabled
| them through the blockade, the ration,n,.
| OF Holland and all Scandinavia, the pro-
hibition of imports into this country ex
cept under guarantee, the seizure an,,
censorship Of mails, and the imposition
OF the blacklist, virtually to DESTROY al,
foreign trade hostile to them and diver,
all American commerce to their own uses
Constant belligerent encroachnaent or
! neutral rights have led President Wilson
to say that neutrality is "intolerable."
War has become so world wide, so unlim-
tied as to national boundaries that It s
no longer the hostile army. but the hos
tile state, men, women md children, out
posts all over the state. that is involved.
Entente Blockade
First and oldest of the Entente allied
restriction is the blockade, which our
government has declared illegal because
| it is both ineffective and discriminatory
| in favor of Norway and Sweden in
that it does not blockade the Baltic
| and because it attempts to blockade
| neutral ports contiguous Is Germany to
| which British goods are allowed to go.
The case dates back to March II. 1915.
and the last note was the British re-
fusal of April a. last.
The rationing of Holland. Norway,
! Sweden and Denmark has been bitterly
| condemned in the blockade notes. where
1t has been held to be an absolutely
| unwarrantable interference with neutral
trade directly between two neutral
countries. England invokes the doctrine
Of continuance voyage and allows only
enough supplies to enter these neutral
| countries to meet their minimum needs
despite the fact that goods imported
| to neutral country become part of its
capital stock subject to transportation
| if desired "A no less lawless prac-
tee" has been the Entente Ally censor
ship which has been called "vexatiously
inqusitorial." Here again is an abso-
lutte conflict between neutral and bellig-
ercnt rights. Neutrals have the right
OF inviolabi!ity of genuine correspond
ence: belligerents have the right to
search mails for cont raband. Obviously
mails cannot be searched and inviolate
at the same time. a reply is due from
this government to the British and
French note of October Is. which itself
was over four months delayed.
The British refusal of the American
attitude as to the blacklist which was
called an arbitrary interference with
neutral trade" has just come and will
require answer. The British claim it
is merely municipal legislation to pre-
vent their own subjects from dealing
with firms aiding the enemy even if in
neutral countries. The United States
holds that in effect this is extending
British control over into American at
| fairs.
The prohibition of importation of raw
materials from the British dominion
into this country except under guaran
tee that they will not reach German
firms is another CALLING restriction. not
Sc much because the right of embargo
is disputed as that in its adrninstra-
ton the British embassy here decides
finally what firms shall and VIVA, firms
shall not be favored. This gives a
control over American industries and a
knowledge of American trade secrets
that is resented.
To meet these trade restrictions is the
retaliatory legislation passed at the 18th
hour by Congress. Intensive study is be-
ing given it though no announcement %
its application has been made. Beyond
the war the President must decide AMeri-
cas- attitude towards the peace confer
ence. WIN Il peace be demanded agains,
the express desires of the Entente? Un-
doubtedly American interests will be III.
volved. notably in China and the Pacific
islands taken from Germany, and also
IN the effort to secure a basis for a last
ing peace and in the necessary re writing
of international law.
! The trade observation-disclosures offers most
tangled problems. Great doubt is felt that
it can go through because it is admittedly
uneconomic and unreasoning in that the
Entente allied nations are competitive
rather than co-ordinative, and because
free commercial intercourse will he e..
sential to all Nevertheless It's approval
by the Paris conference and its inc reas-
ing agitation abroad makes prepare ton
against it necessary. The Webb bill now
before Congress TO permit cooperation
among exporters Hil be one of the frs;
steps urged.
Most vital of all perhaps is Frcsidcia
Wilson's advocacy of a league of nations
to guarantee against another war. Admit
teddy this DESTROYS American isolation an;
commits the nation to active interest IN
and cooperation with other countries.
The British French and German foreign,
secretaries have endorsed the plan in
theory. what remains for this country is
to work it out in practice.
Many other more local problems press
for solution Mexico is in a very serious
plight Officials are beginning to despair
of Carranza. yet no ALTERNATIVES is seen.
The Nicaraguan treaty is being protested
by the other Central American nations
and offers a possible source of trouble.
Conditions there and in San Domingo
and Haiti are unsettled Also the treaty
for the purchase of the Danish West In
dies for s25,oOO,OOo is still unratified by
+! Denmark.
VASSALR0R0