BELLIGERENTS AND NEUTRALS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2348, 2 January 1915, Page 7

BELLIGERENTS AND NEUTRALS

FRICTION INEVITABLE SEARCH MUST BE PROLONGED TO BE EFFECTIVE London, December 31. ' "The Times'" legal correspondent, commenting on the American Note, says that no war lasts long without some friction between belligerents '_ and neutrals, especially if operations are conducted by sea and land, lie rights and duties of the two parties can scarcely fail to conflict at some points. Between Britain and the United States special bonds exist. Both have strinf lit foreign enlistment Acts; both agress the duties of neutrals, and under the ashington. Treaty both promised to. bring these duties under the notice of otter States. Undoubtedly the right'to searoh causes inconvenience, especially in those days, when vessels carry general cargo of prodigious _ variety, stowed scientifically by expert stevedores, necessitating prolonged,.if it is to-be an effective, search.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Servicos.

BRITAIN'S PRESENT POLICY CRIPPLING AMERICAN. INDUSTRIES.

(Reo, January V 10.35 p.m.) , • ■- . .■•.•-:. London, December 81. Ambassador Page's brief covering letter assured Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) of President .Wilson's representations being made with the friendliest spirit.- •"''.',' ~ , „ - ~", The Note states that Britain's present policy exceeds the manifest necessity of belligerents and constitutes restrictions of American citizens' rights on the high seas, and is .unjustified by the rules of international law, nor required under the principle of self-preservation. It declares that belligerents ought not to interfere with commerce between neutrals unles there is imperative'necessity to potecfc the national safety, and then only to the extent or_ the' necessity, and says texturally is increasing the . belief, doubtless not entirely unjustified, that Britain's present policy towards American, trade is responsible for the depression in certain industries dependent on European markets. • The Foreign Office announces that Sir Edward Grey's reply, will be drafted in the same friendly spirit as President Wilson's Note.. THE RIGHT OF SEAROH MAY BE REGULATED. (Eec. January 1, 10,45 p.m.) Paris, December 81. The "Temps,"- commening on the Note, 6ays the discovery of the Italian plot justifies the Allies' strictest searching. "We may consider means to regulate the exercise of the right, but ,we cannot refrain'from applying it to the full,extent.' 1 " ' • . BRITAIN'S SEIZURE OF CONTRABAND, ' (Reo. January 1, 10.45 p.m.) ; . .;*■■■. London, December 31. Senator Walsh, in a friendly speech, Btated that Britain . had detained thirty-one ships carying 19,350 tons of American copper, and seized the cargoes as contraband. ' MORE THREATENING THAN SUMMARIES INDICATED, , • (Rec. January 1; 7.30 p.m.) London, December 31. President Wilson's Note is almost more comminatory than the summaries. It apprehends that unless the trade of neutrals improves the feeling aroused will be contrary to what,has long existed between 'America and Britain. ' _____ - A" WAY OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY, ." (Rec. January, 2, 0.30 a.m.) New York, January ,1. The newspapers suggest that an arrangement be made by which Washington could inspect cargoes and issue certificates of innocence or immunity from search and seizure, "; " ''".