Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-27


at sea MI mails coming out of and
going into ports OF the enemy's coasts
which are effectively blockaded.
Agree IN Principle.
THE government of the United
States, Great Britain and France,
however. appear to be in substantial
agreement as to principle, The
method Of applying the principle is
the chief cause OF difference.
Though giving assurances that
ihcy conider genuine correspondence
TO be inviolable,' and that they Will
irue 10 their engagements refrain
ON the high seas from selling and
6onfiscating such correspondence,
the allied governments proceed to
deprive neutral governments of the
benefits of these assurances by seiz-
ing aud confiscating mail from yes
sells in port instead OF at sea.
ships are detained Ell route TO or
from TIE United states or to or from
other neutral countries and mails
are held and delayed for several days
and, In some cases, for Weeks and
even months even though not routed
"a ports OF north Europe, via British
Uorts This has been the procedure
which has been practiced since the
announcement OF February Is, 1916.
30 some extent, the same practice
wns followed before that date, calling
for the protest Of this government Of
January a. 1915. But TO that protest
the memorandum under acknowledg-
ment has no reference and ~ entirely
unresponsive
THE government Of the United
states must again insist with empha-
sis that the British and French gov
ernmcnts do not obtain righlful iuris-
dicton Of ships by forcing or Undue
ing them TO visit their ports for the
purpose of selling their mails. OF
hereby ubioin greater helligerent
sights as to such shlps than they
could exercise on The high seas; for
there is. IN the opinion of the govern
mcnt Of the united states no legal
distinction between the seizure of
mails nj sea, which is announced rs
abandoned and their seizure from vcs-
sells voluntarily or involuntarily In
port
THE present practice Is a violation
iuot only OF the spirit of the announce
ment of February Is. but of the rule
~ The Hague convention upon which
II In concededly based. Aside from
this. II Is violation of the prior prac-
80 x.tbt lVtf "a n
and her allies have In the past assist
ed to establish and maintain.
Here the note cites several cases in
support of the contention of violation
Of previous international practice.
| Continuing, the note says
THE arbitrary methods employed
oy the british and French govern
ments have resulted most disastrous
/ ~ To citizens OF the United States
/ Important papers which never can
be duplicated. or can be duplicated
ionly with great difficulty, such as
United states patents for inventions
rare documents, legal papers relat-
ling to tho settlement of eatates, pow
/ ers Of attorney. fire insurance claims
income tax returns and similar mat
tiers. have been lost Delayed In re-
ceiving shipping documents have
caused great loss ana Inconvenience
Ity preventing prompt delivery OF
goods ."
The note here cites many eases II
point and outlines specific instances
" losses resulting from loss or de-
/ lay OF mails II continues.
VIII Press Claims
This government will be com.
I PEELED In the near future to pres:
claims for fun reclamation upon tn,
attention OF his maicstys govern
ment and that of the French re-
lpuhlic.
'sro submit to lawless practice o.
this character would open tho door
10 repeated violations OF interna.
tional law by the belliserent powers
on the ground of military necessity
OF which the yiolator would be this
sole Judge.
.'Manitestly neutral nation car
not permit its rights on the htgl
seas To he determined 10y helliger
ents or the exercise OF those right
to he permitted or denied arbitrar
ny hy the government of a warrinl
nation The rights of neutrals ar
las sacred as the rights of belliger
cnts and must he as strictly oh
served.
"Only radical chance in th'
present British and French policy
restoring 10 the United states IL
fun rights as a neutral power. vii
satisfy this government
l Il have, etc,
ROBERT LANSING"