THE BLACK LIST

Nelson Evening Mail, 31 July 1916, Page 5

THE BLACK LIST

AMERICAN NOTE.TO BRITAIN. A PROTEST "IN .THE MOSOM>ECIDIED TERMS." (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association:) i(Rec. July-30., 9.45 a.m.). •TjONDON, Jaily 30. The Press Bureau has published the American Note re the British Black .last. It' expresses a- painful -surprise at the . arbitrary interference with- neutral trade against wihich it tnvust,'protest'.- in tho most decided'terms: - There ave fomr plaints of haa'sli and even disastrous of-. fects of the Black List policy wbiclv is susceptible to so.'-wide an appli'cation that there are possibilities of serious to incalculable interruptions of American trade. The -British, measures are essentially inconsistent with jneutral- -rightsAmerican, .citizens . -are entirely, ft'ithin, their- rights in .attempting to trade .with belligerents subeet only to - well denned

international practices and understandings -whi.h the American Government considers the '{British Government has over-lightlv and over-frequently dLs regarded. The Black List- 'brushes a.~ide the safeguards of neutral rights and condemns neutrals and their goods without hearing or notice. It is manifestly out of the question for the American Government to acquiesce in a- practice which is inconsistent with justice, amity and fairness. It does not seek to shield Americans for unneutral acts, but the British Government cannot- expect it to see its citizens placed ex parte on the Black List without calling the attention of the British Government in the gravest terms to the serious consequences to neutral rights and regulations which such an act must necessarily involve. It hopes and believes that the British Government, in the natural absorption in a. single pressing object, of policy- has acted without realising the undesirable results which are possible. (Rec. Julv 31. 9.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM!. Julv 30. LONDON, July 30-

London bankers asked. Dutch hankers to si<m a declaration .declining husiness directly or indirectly with black-list =d firms having dealings with Germany. The Dutch'have opened negotiations wrth a view to mitigation r.f the pro posal.