UNITED STATES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES

THE RIGHT TO SEARCH MAILS. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION New York, Oct. 15. The Allies' reply to the American protest regarding the mails leaves the question unsettled. It point? out that the Allies and America agree as to principles, but differ as to method. The Allies insist that the diversion ot neutral ships to Allied ports does not amount to illegal jurisdiction. Merchant vessels voluntarily entering port also must submit to the jurisdiction. It i? legitimate for the Allies to ascertain tihat vessels are not carrying anything hostile to their interests. The German custom of disguising even official correspondence dialing with hostilities renders supervision imperative. The Allies point out that Germany has declined to recognise the Hague Convention, which was not signed by certain 'Powers; nevertheless the Allies are guided by tile intention of the Convention, and therefore forward inoffensive mails as quickly as possible. Regarding the right to search mails on the high seas, the Allies adopt a reasonable interpretation of the Convention, but have not admitted and cannot admit .that it has imposed a definite legal obligation. They expressly reserve to themselves the right to .search on the high seas, should such steps be necessary owing to abuses, fraud, dissimulation and deceit on the part of the enemy. Experience has shown that mail examination lias resulted in the detection of dangerous plots which would not have spared even neutrals. The German naval authorities 'have destroyed ma 1 !* at sea without examination.

After dealing in detail with the treatment of different classes of correspondence, the Note says that the rights of the United States cannot ineluAe the protection of correspondence of a hostile character, or disguised, >r for a direct or indirect hostile destination. The Allies are always ready to investigate' faults' and abuses and determine. responsibility for them.

The New York Times comments that tlie differences seem irreconcilable. The puzzle is how to keep neutral mails inviolable and yet permit the belligerents to search for contraband. RELIEF OF FRENCH WAH-OHPHANS. Washington, Oct. 13 The American relief scheme to assist French war orphans plans to raise 130 millions o£ dollars.