Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-15
RE|TERATE RIGHT
TO SEARCH mail
ON NEUTRAL SHIPS
Allied Governments Reply
to u. S. Protest Against
Interference, :
PROMISE TO REMEDY
ANY FAULTS OR ABUSES
Declare Unjustihed Charge Of
Illegal Jurisdiction Gained by
Diversion of Vessels.
IDENTc NOTE rs RECEIVED
Issues More Sharply Defined. hut
Next Move Of This Country
l. Not Determined.
PROMISE TO REMEDY
ANY FAULTS OR ABUSES
iDENrIc NOTE is RECEIVED


WASIIfNt;TON. October i4-Iu their
latest reply 10 American protests
against interference with ncutral rnuils
made public Tonight by the state pc-
partm"nt. the allied governments re-
iterate their right to intercept sind
search ali genuine mail found on ncu-
trail vessels on the high seas or IN,
allied ports, bnt they promise to rem
"dy any faults. abuses or serious mis-
takes IN censorship that may be
brought to their attention They de-
clare unlustiiicd by facts the American
charge that Illegal Jurisdiction has
been gained by diversion Of neutral
ships from the high seas into the terri
torial waters OF the allies The next
move OF the American government has
this governTncut."
The note, transmitted Jointly by The
British anL French governments. WAS
del!vcrcd To .',c state Department by
the embassies las, Thursday. but was
not made public until Tonight By
agreement of tho governments con-
cerncd II makes reply to Secretary
i.ansing's memorandum OF May -. in
which the United States declared the
allies had been guilty of ''lawlcss prac-
ticcs" in their mail censorship methods
and tina; 'oui: a radical change re-
storing TO the United states it's full
rights as a neutral power. VIII satisfy
this government
THE HAGUE CONNENriON
DECLARED NOT HINDING
The allies maintain they are Sin
ccrely endeavoring TO avoid any Gu
croa chment on ihc Legitimate exercise
of the rights OF nofrensive neutral
c,ynmerce." and suggest that --'rhe
Hague convention quoted In the Amer
lean mcrn norandum is not binding be-
cause IL has nor been ratified by sew
eral bclligcrcnt powers. though the
allied policy has been guided BY the
Intentions II expresses.
The note il nearly 1000 words in
length. T, argues thut the United
States and the allies agree that the
postal union convention does not ap-
ply. and that postal packages may he
examined - sec If they contain con-
traband. That being SO. the note cou-
tends +. Is necessary to open postal
bags. and examination cannot take
place At sea withou: delay and in
convenience. Arrangements now have
been made 10 cary on the examination
With the least possible delay and to
forward innocent articles to their dcs-
tination.
The note. says the allies cannot aban-
don their right to prevent the fraud
ulcnt use by tho enemy of neutral
mails for bclligercnt purposes. The
case OF the .ttalania is cited TO show
Information can be AZ useful a means
OF war AZ ammunition, and the note
says information us to the militaI:
operations and enemy plots in neutral
countries. especially the United States,
has been discovered in this way.
The allied argument follows the line
OF President Lincoln's proclamation Of
May II. lSGa. which declared things
and inforniations as equally contraband
OF war, ara cites the fact that in
terccptad enemy correspondence was
used I'm tho United states courts during
the civil War and laid before Com
SrcsS.