Evening star., 1940-01-06
Hull Warns British
Against Forcing u. 5.
Ships Into War Zone
Vessels Are Entitled
To Presumption Of
Neutrality, Says Not


To Presumption Of
Neutrality, Says Not
Secretary Hull made public yester-
day a note to the British Ambassa-
dor, Lord Lothian, declaring the
United States would hold Great Bri-
tain responsible for any injury to
American interests which might re-
suit If American ships are forced
into the war zone by the British.
American vessels are entitled to
a presumption that they are obey
ing the United States neutrality law
and not carrying contraband of war,
Secretary Hull said. The text Of his
note follows:
I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your excellency's note,
No. All, of November 9, 1889, in re-
gard to certain provisions of the
Neutrality Act of 1899 and to the
Presidents proclamation of Novem-
ber 4, issued pursuant to the terms
of Section of that act. in which
you inform me that your Govern
ment feels obliged formally to re-
serve its rights in the matter Of
the exercise of belligerent activities
in respect to United States vessels
in the manner indicated in your
note Of September 10, 1899.
1t was suggested in that note that
neutral vessels en- route to certain
countries should voluntarily call at
one of the several "contraband con-
troll" bases designated by your gov
eminent in order that the examina-
ton Of their cargoes might be facili-
tated, by examination in port rather
than on the high seas. Since, pur-
suant to the Act of Congress ap-
proved November 4. 1899, and the
Presidents proclamation of the
same date, it becomes illegal for
American vessels to enter the So
called combat zone about the British
Isles and the northern coast Of
Europe, they are thereby precluded
from voluntarily entering the con-
traband control" bases within the
combat zone, and your excellency's
note is understood as undertaking
to reserve right of your govern
ment to divert American vessels to
such bases, by force If necessary,
acting, In that respect, without re-
gard to the municipal law of the
United States or the rights, obliga-
tions and liabilities of American
vessels under that law.
Neutrality Act Provisions
On Shipping Recalled.
In this connection I am impelled
to bring to the attention of your ex-
cellency's Government the following
considerations which I conceive to be
of such Importance as to merit most
careful notice.
First Since, under the Neutral
ity Act, it is illegal for American
vessels to carry cargo to belligerent
ports in Europe and Northern Africa,
such vessels will, of necessity, be car
rying only such cargo as is shipped
from one neutral country to another.
Such cargo is entitled to the pre-
sumption OF innocent character, in
the absence of substantial evidence
justifying a suspicion to the con-
trary.
Second. It is my understanding
that the American steamship COM
panies operating vessels to European
destinations, putting aside certain of
heir rights under accepted principles
of international law, have voluntar-
lily indicated willingness to COOP
crate with the British authorities In
every practicable manner intended
best to serve the mutual interests of
themselves and the British govern
ment in those circumstances in
which the respective rights of the
two parties might be regarded by
them as in some respects in conflict
1t is my belief that such a spirit of
liberality on the part of American
shipping interests should be met by
a corresponding degree of accom-
modation and fexibility on the part
Of the British government. and that
such mutual Differences should avoid
giving rise to any occasion for the
forcible diversion of such American
vessels to those belligerent ports
which they are by the law of the
United States prohibited from enter
ing.
Compensation Expected
For Infraction of Rights.
In view of these considerations. it
IS difficult for my Government to
foresee, as practical matter, any
occasion necessitating the entry of
American vessels into belligerent
ports. If, despite these considera-
tions, the British authorities feel it
necessary to compel any American
vessel to enter the combat area or
any of those belligerent ports which
by the provisions of the neutrality
law they are prohibited from enter
ing, the Government of the United
States will feel it necessary to ex-
anime carefully into all the facts of
the case and to take such further
action as the results of such exami-
nation appear to make necessary or
expedient. Meanwhile. I feel that I
should inform your excellency that
this Government, for itself and its
nationals, reserves all its and their
rights in the matter and that it will
be expected that compensation for
losses and injuries resulting from
the infraction of such rights will be
made as a matte- of course.
Accept, excellency, the renewed
assurance of my highest considera-
fi0n