NEUTRAL PROTESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1939, Page 5

NEUTRAL PROTESTS

AGAINST THE SEIZURE f OF GERMAN EXPORTS DEFENCE OF BRITISH POLICY. CREATION OF NEW PRECEDENTS INEVITABLE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. November 25. The Dutch. Danish, Swedish and Belgian Governments have made representations in London on the subject of the . British Government’s decision io subject to seizure German exports on neutral vessels, as a reprisal for Germany’s violation of the rules of warfare at sea :in laying mines in shipping channels. The Italian Ambassador also called at the Foreign Office to discuss this matter and express the views of his Government on the legality of the measure. The Japanese Ambassador visited the Foreign Office yesterday and, while the purpose of the call has not been stated officially, it is generally assumed that the subject of the Allied reprisal in its bearing on neutral shipping rights was touched upon. In official circles it is stated that any neutral observations regarding the forthcoming Order-in-Council defining the British action are receiving and will receive the most careful consideration of the British Government, which is anxious to do all in its power to mitigate the hardships and inconvenience which neutrals are experiencing as a result of the outrages being committed by Germany against their shipping. JAPANESE INTIMATION. A Japanese Foreign Office statement says the British blockade of German exports violates the assurances which Britain gave Japan. It is suggested that if her vital interests are affected Japan will be compelled to institute a counter measure. The Ambassador in London has been instructed to protest. Belgium and Denmark have sent Notes to Britain concerning the intensification of contraband control and a Stockholm report says Sweden has made a serious demarche on the subject. The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Dr Koht, said the Oslo Powers did not intend to make a joint protest to the belligerents but each would act as it thought fit. A Rome message says Count Ciano drew the attention of the British and French envoys to the possible consequences the British anti-German reprisals might have on Italian commerce. A demarche claiming all Holland’s rights under international law respectirig any measures the British Government might take to make German exports on the high seas subject to seizure was made on Thursday at the Foreign Office by the Netherlands Minister. THE BRITISH VIEW. The British action will in fact be in strict accordance with international law, which, generally speaking, only requires that measures of reprisal which are taken must not be disproportionate with injuries inflicted. In the British view this condition is fulfilled in the present case. It is further pointed out that the disadvantages to neutrals entailed by the proposed British action are in no way disproportionate to those sufferedby them as a result of German action. The losses which have been inflicted not only on property but also on the lives of women and children of Britain and neutral countries through the indiscriminate laying of unannounced drifting mines by Germany, contrary to international law are now admitted by the German wireless, as well as illegal sinkings by German submarines. Historically, the ultimate purpose of international law has been largely to safeguard neutral rights. The past record of the British and German Governments toward international law is known to the neutral world, which doubtless has reached its own conclusion as to which of the present belligerents is likely to pay the greatest regard to neutral rights. This part of international law. was framed long before the intervention of submarines or modern mines. One result of these inventions is that it is' no longer possible to impose an effective blockade. It is inevitable that new precedents to deal with these new forms of piracy should be created. The Netherlands trade mission now in London will remain for discussion, and, it is hoped, a prompt settlement of any difference that may arise after the issue of the Order-in-Council probably early next week.