Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-10-15

/ StNtItl bcIlEtHcnt powers.
In an informal memorandum sub
mitted some time ago Great Britain
pointed out at length the changes
made in censorship methods to expe-
| dite mail examination. These changes
are only referred to briefly in the
! present communication.
Note Is Lengthy One.
| The note is nearly 5000 words in
length. 1t argues that the United
states and the allies agree that the
postal union convention does not APP
ply ana that postal packages may he
examined to see if they contain con-
traband. That being so, the note con-
tends ii is necessary to open postal
bags, and examination cannot take
place AT sea without delay and ncon-
venicnce ARRANGEMENTS now have
been made to carry on the examine
ton with the least possible delSy.
Although The Hague convention af
1907 has not been accepted by some
of the belligerents the note says the
allies are prepared to ACCEPT the prin-
ciple in the preamble as to "guaran-
tees due TO peaceful commerce and
legitimate business" but cannot aban-
don tner right to prevent the fraud
ulent use by the enemy of neutral
mails for belligercnt purposes. The !
case of the Atalanta is cited to show
information can be as useful means /
of war as ammunition, and the note
says Information as to military opera
tons and enemy plots in neutral coun-
tries, especially the United states, has
beCu discovered in this way.
Quotes President Lincoln.
An examination of preCcdents Is
held to show that the great powers |
have claimed the right to intercept |
enemy correspondence in neutral |
mails. The allied argument follows |
the line of President Lincoln's proc |
lamation Of May >, 1862 which de- |
clared things and information as !
contraband of war and cites |
the fact that intercepted enemy cor
respondencc was used in the United |
States courts during the civil war and |
laid before congress.
The contention of the United states,
the note argues, that money order
lists should he ClaSsed as genuine mail
and not as merchandise, does not take
into consideration that such lists sent
from the United states to Germany
and Austria by mail correspond to
money deposited In this country and
serve as a notification to postal au-
thoritics Of the Toutontc powers to
pay Out the amounts indicated in
rroasing the financial resistance OF
The allies enemies.
in view of this, money order lists
are refused passage.
Excuses Method of Search.
In connection with the reminder
hat the United states already has
agreed that examination of private |
postal correspondence TO ascertain
whether il contains contraband is per
the note says
1T is evident that this examination,
which necessarily entails the opening
VI the covers in order to ascertain
heir contents could not be carried
m on board without causing great
Ieal of confusion, without great risk
# error loss or nom delivery. 1t was
or these reasons that the allies have
Initiated the removal of the mail bags
nd their dispatch to points provided
or prompt and regular handling In
II this. the allied governments have
10 other purpose but that of dimin
shing by all means in their power the
inconvenience that the legitimate eN
rcise of their hclngerent rights i'm
egard to enemy mail might cause to
loffensive neutral correspondence
nj % neutral vessels"
shows No IaVoritism
After asserting that the United
tates and the allies are in agreement
II principles but differ as to their ap-
hcauon, the note, in reply to Sec