New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-15
ReiectU. S. Demands
Point to Civil
War Cases
REVEALS PLOTS
Promise Only Efforts to
Remedy Faults and
Abuses
tFrom The Trihuns Buresul


have refused to yield substantial con-
cessions on the mail censorship. In
their latest reply to the American pro
tests Great Britain and France, in a
Joint note, insist on their right to
search all genuine mail found on neu-
tral vessels on the high seas or in Al
lied ports. All they concede is prom
ise to remedy "any faults, abuses or
serious mistakes" that may be brought
TO their attention.
While the State Department refused
to comment on the fat rejection of the
American contentious, it was admitted
in Administration quarters that the
position of the Allies is at many points
practically unassailable. The Allies
contend that as the United States has
admitted and in past wars invoked the
right TO examine mails, their present
practices are in complete agreement
with this government on the principles
involved.
Enemy Plots Foiled
"On the high seas, according to in
ternational law" the note says, sit is
for the belligerents to search for and
to prevent operations of transport or
other services by which neutral YES
sells can give cooperation and assist
snce to the hostile operations of the
enemy. A few lines OF letter con-
veyed to the enemy may be as useful
or even more useful TO his warlike op-
erstions than cargo of arms and am
nunition. Experience in the course OF
the present war has. in fact, demon
strated the truth of this observation.
Hostile acts have failed which had been
rlanned through the mails. Dangerous
plots in which the enemy does not even
spare neutral countries have been de-
tected In the mails and foiled."
High officials admitted to-day tina,
the United States had recognized this
right of search, even of sealed mail,
but had asserted against it neutral
right to the free passage of sealed mail
These rights are in direct conflict and
officials see no way to reconcile them.
Unles. they can be reconciled. it Is
not seen how the United States can eI-
pect the Allies 70 respect the neutral
right, as against their belligerent
right.
The note argues also that the seiz-
ure Of American money order lists was
justified. because these lists were or
ders to pay money to enemies, and
therefore contraband. 1t is pointed
out that the money was payable on the
receipt Of these lists and with other
papers.
Arrange to Hasten Search
The note points out that the exami-
nation Of mail on the high seas could
not be carried out without great delay
and inconvenience to neutral vessels.
With a view, therefore, TO occasioning
the minimum annoyance. such ships are
compelled TO call at British ports,
though it is admitted this action goes
beyond previous law. In port such YES
sells are subjected only to such treat
ment as would be legitimate on the high
seas. Most neutral ships. it is declared,
call at British ports of their own voli-
ton, and in these cases the Allies claim
the right, recognized by the United
States. TO treat them as under their ter
ritorial jurisdiction.
The State Department is investigat-
ing complaints that this calling at Brit
ish ports is actually brought about by
coercion.
No Protest to Germany
Attention is called TO the fact that
the United States has never complained
of the destruction of mails by German
submarines, though the Allies do not
deem il to the purpose TO make COM
parison between these destructive Ger
man proceedings and the acts Of the
Allies in supervising and examining
enemy correspondence.
The note was delivered by the en-
bassies last Thursday, but was not
made public until tonight by agree
ment. 1t makes reply to Secretary Ian
sings memorandum Of May "a, in which
the United States declared the Allies
had been guilty of "lawless practices"
in their mail censorship methods and
that "only a radical change, restoring
10 the United States its full rights as
neutral power, will satisfy this govern
ment."
Try TO Avoid Annoyance
II Is maintained by the Allies in their
latest note that they are sincerely en-
deavoring to avoid any encroachment
on the legitimate exercise OF the rights
of inoffensive neutral commerce" De-
lays and annoyances are declared un-
avoidable in the exercise OF full bel
ligercnt rights.
The note lis nearly 5000 words long.
II argues that the United States and
the Allies agree that the Postal Union
Convention does not apply and that
postal packages may be examined to see
If they contain contrsband. That being
so. the note contends II is necessary to
open postal bags and examination can
not take place at sea without delay and
inconvenience. Arrangements now have
been made TO carry on the examination
with the least possible delay and to for
ward innocent articles to their destins-
tion.
Although Tho Hague Convention 81