Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-29
DIPLOMATIC MAIL
NOT SAFE ON SEAS
American Protest Says Pouches
Treated in "vexatiously In
quisitorial" Manner.
STRONG FEELING AROUSED

aAANAAAMHN
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2s.-The
text Of the American protest TO Great
Britain against interference with
neutral mails, made public tonight
reveals that diplomatic and consular
pouches have been treated in a
manner the United States considers
''vexatiously inqulsitorial." The
note describes the practices Of Brit
ish officials as "unwarranted inter-
ferences" and urgently requests a
prompt reply points out that "a
strong feeling is being aroused" in
this country by the loss Of valuable
letters. while foreign banks are re-
fusing to cash American drafts be-
cause they have no assurance that
drafts are secure in the mails.
The United States declares that parcel
post articles are entitled 20 the exemp-
lions Of neutral trade. and denies the
right OF Great Britain 70 take neutral
mall ships into British Jurisdiction for
purposes OF search and then submit them
10 local censorship regulations II also
denies that the British government has
any authority over Neutral sealed mails
on ships which merely touch at British
ports.
Must Cossuit AIlies.
with the text OF lIle American note
Was made public Great Britains interim
reply. saying that questions OF principle
raised by the United states have made II
necessary for Great Britain TO consult its
allies before answering finally, and la
slcasing that there will be $40 Unnecessary
delay IN the negotiations.
The American note Is IN the form Of a
memorandum to Ambassador Page at
London instructIng hlm to file a formal
and vigorous protest" Il Is dated
January and textually Is as follows
Department advised that British Gus
tums authorities removed from Danish
steamer oscar II. 7si bags parcel mail
IN route from United states 10 Norway
sweden and Denmark; that British port
authorities have removed from swedish
steamer stockholm .fifty-eieht bags par
eel mall on rostc from Goihenburg,
sweden. to New YORK; that 500 packages
of merchandise. American property. have
teen seized by British authorities on the
Danish steamer United states on its iaht
trip TO the United states; that custom
authorities at Klrkwall on December is
seized 5s7 bags OF parcel matter from
steamer Frederick VIII manifested for
NofVay. Sweden and Denmark, other
similar cases might be mentioned, such
as that o. tho steamer HelIgolav
subIect 60 same Treatment.
-Department inclined to regard parcel
post articles as subject to same treat
mont as articles sent as express or
freight In respect 10 belIigerent search.
SECURE and condemnation. on the other
hand. parcel post articies are entitled 10
iiB usual exemptions OF neutral trade,
and the protests Of the government OF the
United states In regard 10 what constl-
tutcs. the unlawful bringing in of ships
for search IN port the llegality Of
su-callcd blockade by Great Britain and
tln improper assumption OF jurisdiction
Of vessels and cargoes apply to commercs
using parcel post service for the trans
mission OF commodities. Please bring
ibss matter Of parcel post formally 70 the
attention OF the British government.
The department IL further Informed
that on December the entire mails in
ciuding sealed mails and presumably the
American diplomatic and consular
pouches. from the Cnited States 10 This
Nctherlands. were removed by British
authorities from the Dutch steamer New
Amsterdam. that on December 30 the
Dutch vessel Noorder Dyke was deprived
~ the Downs OF American mail from the
r'nlted states 90 Rotterdam and that
tkose malls are still held by British Ru-
thorities. Other similar instances could
be mentioned "a the cases OF the steam
srs Rotterdam end Noordam.
CaRaot Aamit Right.
THE department cannot admit the rishl
Of British autho-sties 10 seize neutral yes
sels plying directly between America and
neptSsi- and European po-ta without
touching at British ports to bring then
into port and. while there. to remove oI
censor malls carried by them. Moderr
practices generally recognizes that mail,
are not 10 be censored, ccnflscated or de.
slToyed on the tigh seas, even when car
ried by belligerent mail ships. To affair
the same end oy bringing such mail ship,
within British jurisdiction for purpose,
Of search and then subiecting them to 10
cal regulations allowing censorship o.
mails cannot be Justified on the grouns
Of national jurisdiction. In cases wher,
neutral mail ahlps merely touch at Brit
ish ports the department believes tina
British authorities have no inteinationa
rieht to remove the sealed mails or I,
eeasor them on board ship. Mails on sucl
ships neysr rishtfully come into the Gus
today Of the British mail service an,
that service is entirely without responsi
bility for their transit or safety.
stFoaE FseIiAs Aroused.
''As a result OF British action. stronI
feeiins is being aroused In this countr.
on account Of the loss OF valuable letters
money orders and drafts. and forelgi
banks are refusing 70 cash America
drafts, owing 20 the absence OF any 90
curlty that the drafts Will travel safel
IN the malls. Moreover. the detention o
diplomatic and consular mail Is an agra
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