The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-15
Reply to American Protest Set
ties Nothing, Leaving Vital
Rights In Conflict.
DENIES ALL ALLEGATIONS
Note Promises to Keep Neutral
Postal Packages Inviolate,
But Puzzle Exists.

The memorandum Of Great Britain
and France In response TO the COM
plants OF this Government concerning
the detention and censorship of malls
between the United States and neutral
countries OF Europe, leaves the differ
ences between the United States and
the entente allies in condition no more
satisfactory than II was on May "a.
when Secretary Lansing sent his note
OF protest to London and Paris.
The allied memorandum. Is devoted. to
an argument intended to refute the con-
tentions of the United States. None OF
these contentious Is conceded by Great
Britain and France, although the allied
governments give assurances that they
will continue to lessen the annoyances
Of mall detention and censorship, and
arc ready to settle responsibility
therefor In accordance with the princi-
pies Of law and justice. which II never
evade.''
- What action the United States Gov
eminent will take with reference to this
unsatisfactory state of affairs has not
been determined: Judging by. what was
said In official circles. It ~ plain. how
ever. from Informal comment. that
seemingly irreconcilable differences ex-
ist between the United States and the
allied governments over certain propo-
sitions set forth by the United States.
established principles, which are them
selves in conflict, yet are recognized by
the practice Of nations.
Comedies Right.
The United States Government has
conceded the right Of a belligerent to
inspect mail In search for contraband.
A Nkls l.
established that neutral mail Is invio-
late
The problem confronting the United
States in considering the British and
French response to its complaints is to
Determine to what extent its rights as
a neutral In the free transmission Of
mail to other neutral countries are SUI
perior to the recognised right Of bel
ligerents to examine such mails on the
ground that they may contain contra
band material or contraband, informa-
ment that INFORMATION which would be
OF benefit to q belligerent may be sent
from a neutral country. What this
government objects to chiefly is that
mail, carried between this and other
subjected to the same treatment as
man carried In British and French
ships, over which the London and Paris
governments have the right of SUPER
vision In their own ports.
tho British and French governments
state. that the diversion Of the courses
OF neutral mail-carrying ships into
British ports to enable the British au-
thorities to examine the mails Is volun-
tary on the part Of owners and masters
OF these vessels who have found that
less delay Is caused by this method.
With this assertion the United States
does not agree. II holds that the mall
carrying neutral vessels really put into
British ports for mail examination Jun
der compulsion that arise from knowl-
edge that II they failed to do so they
would be seized on the high seas and
required to touch at the British ports
OF examination.
Object to Haphazard Search.
The United States Government. while
admitting that a belligerent has the
right to examine neutral mail. contain
ing contraband OF war, which a bel
ligerent believes is intended for delivery
in an enemy country, holds that this
principle can be carried out only when
a belligerent has reason to believe that
tanned In particular packages or par
ticular letters. In that event the
belliserent. 1t Is conceded, may open
the suspected communication. but this
government COHttHub tndt He CdHIO'
open every letter or package in his
search for particular contraband In
formation or material, This Govern.
nent especially objects to Great Britain
and France opening neutral mail py
the wholesale without any prior knowl'
edge that any part of it is Of contra
band character
The United States does not object tc
allied warships holding UP neutral mai
steamers on the high seas to ascertain
whether the mails contain contrabanc
OF enemy destination. but It. does object
10 having neutral mail ships, containing
American mall. compelled to put into
British or French ports and there b'
detained until all the mail II carried ha.
been examined by censors. Neutra
ships. this Government holds. must no
be forced TO c,ange their course fol
such purposes.
The puzzling feature OF the situation
as admitted In the best informed cir
Giles, is that no way Is known here b!
which the right of belligerent to eN
anime neutral mails for contraband chi
he carried out without violating tn,
rights of the neutral to have his mail
inviolable.