AMERICAN ATTITUDE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 7

AMERICAN ATTITUDE

IMPORTANCE TO BRITAIN

(Reed. Sept. 18, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 15.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says President Roosevelt defined the nation’s territorial waters as "extending as far seaward as our interests require,” but. added a strong hint that there would be no question of the right of belligerent blockaders lo search and seize cargoes in American ships bound for adjacent neutral ports.

Although the statement on the latter point was vaguely phrased, international lawyers considered it only meant that the United States concedes the doctrine of “continuous voyage,” which the Federal Government originated in the Civil War in order lo seize cargoes sent to the Confederate States via Nassau, as applicable to Britain’s present blockade of Germany.

If the Administration intends to follow this doctrine it will be a great comfort to Britain, since it will remove a potential source of diplomatic controversy similar to that which arose between 'Britain and America prior to the American entrance into the last war.

It would mean, the New York Times adds, that in so far as the British blockade is concerned Hie American Government will not raise the issue of our neutrality on the high seas.