BRITISH BLOCKADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1939, Page 8

BRITISH BLOCKADE

AMERICAN PROTEST NOTE

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

WASHINGTON, December 8

The United States Note to Britain on the blockade of German exports insists that a belligerent cannot take action “penalising States or their nationals in connection with their legitiinate activities.” It makes passing reference to the necessity at this time for maintenance of the integrity of international law, disrespect for which “is threatening the security of peaceloving nations.”

The Note further points out that certain German imports have already been paid for or cannot be duplicated elsewhere, or are essential for certain industries and professions. It concludes that the Qrder-in-Council will “add to the many inconvienences and damages to which innocent trade and commerce are already being subjected.” The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” s&ys the blockade Note was broader than a protest. It was both a plea, to observe international law as an assurance to peacelovers, and a declaration of the principles supporting American rights. It .recognised that actual cases provide the only test of how definitely the United States will support American rights in “stronger words than a request.” “It is significant that the Note concedes a belligerent’s right to search a neutral, but only on the high seas,” the correspondent adds. “It does not concede Britain’s right to take American ships to control ports.” The “New York Times,” referring in a leading article to Mr. Cordell Hull’s Note to Britain, says: “The symbolic position of the United States as the greatest neutral nation means that it has a vital stake in the maintenance of international law. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the United States sympathises with Britain and France in the use of a blockade to curb German aggression. The ambiguity of this position accounts for the absence of the word ‘protest.’ “Britain has a vital stake in the way the problem is handled, since American sympathy is not the least among her assets. ' However, Great Britain must of necessity, for her own advantage, do her utmost to reconcile her needs with proper American interests.”

PROTEST BY SOVIET.

MOSCOW, December 10

The radio stated that the Soviet has sent a note to the English and French Embassies regarding export control, and protesting violently againstt the violation of international law as being harmful to neutrals. It adds that the Soviet will demand compensation for shipping delays and trade losses.