Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-27

are detained lost. or possibly destroy
cd AS further example OF the de-
lay and loss consequent upon the Brit
| ism practice. the Postmaster-General
sends me copy OF letter from tho
| British postal administration admitting
that the mails were removed from the
steamer Medan in the Downs on Janu.
AIRY 30 last. and not forwarded until
some time between the I'd of February
and the I'd of March. and that Isl bags
OF these mails were lost during trans
mission to Holland on the 18th day Of
February by tho Dutch steamship
Mecklenbure Tho Mcdan arrived safe
" ~ Rotterdam y DAY two after
she left tho Downs. This Cou-
tinuinc "ifense has led 4" such losses
10 American citizens ard to a possible
responsibility Of the United States to
repair them that this government vilI
he compelled in the near future Ia prcse
claims for fun reclamation upon His
MajeStNS government and that of the
French government"
NOTE ESTABLISHES
GOVERNMENTS POSITION
The note III establishing the position
OF ;hiS government. says IL is inclined
TO the opinion that mail matter con-
tanning stocks, bonds. coupons money
orders. checks. drafts. notes and other
negotiable instruments. which may pass
as the equivalent or money is to he
ciassed as merchandise and subject IN
tne same exercise OF belliGercnt rights
correspondence. Including shipping doc
uments. money order lists and pauers
OF that character. even though relat-
ing I" enemy supplies OF exports" UNI
less carried OH the same ship as the
property referred to, is. in the opinion
OF TINS government, to be regarded ia
genuine correspondence" and entitled
20 unmoleSted passage
Concluding. the note says:
the government "f the tinted
states III view OF tn" Improper meth
DDS employed by the British ana
French authorities in in,erruntinc
mails passing between the United
states and other neutral countries and
between the United States and the enc
mics of Great Britain. can no longer
tolerate the wrongs. which citizens of
the United states have suffered and
continue 10 suffer. through these meth
DDS To submit to a lawless practice
OF ms character would open the door
10 repeated violations Of international
law by the bellisercnt powers on the
ground OF military necessity of which
the Niolator would be the sole Judge
ManifeStiN neutral nation cannot per
NIT lis rights on the high seas TO he
denied arbitrarily by the government
q! warning nation The rights of
neutralS are as sacred as the rights of
helliEerentS and must he AS strictly
observed
ENPECTS PRESENT PRACTICE
TO CEASE At ONCE
The government Of the United
states confident in the regard for in
ternational law and the rights of neu-
trails. which the British and French
governments have SO often proclaimed.
ana the disregard of which they have
urged SO vigorously against their enc.
mics III the present war, expects the
present practice OF the British and
French authorities in the treatment of
the mails from or to the United States
I" cease. and belligereut rights as eX-
ercIsed. to conform TO the princ!ple |.
governing the passage of mail matter
and TO the recognized practice Of ma ,
tons. Only a radical change IN the !
present British and French policy. re.
storing TO the United States it's full !
rights as neutral power, Will satisfy
this government.
II have. etc,
"EOBEKT LANSING; !