THE AMERICAN KITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15807, 2 January 1915, Page 5

THE AMERICAN KITE.

GROUND OF COMPLAINT, EXCESSIVE INTERFERENCE. LAW OF NECESSITY. (Received January 2, 12.5 a.m.) London, January 1. The United States Ambassador to Britain, Dr. Thomas Nelson Page, in a brief covering letter, accompanying the United States Note, assured Sir Edward Grey that President Wilson's representations were made in the friendliest spirit. The Note states that Britain's present policy exceeds the manifest necessity of* belligerents and constitutes restrictions to the rights of American citizens on the high seas which are not justified by the rules of international law nor required under the principle of self-preser-vation. It declares that belligerents ought not to interfere with commerce between neutrals unless under imperative necessity for the protection of national safety and then only to the extent of that necessity-

The belief is increasing, the Note continues, and doubtless it is not entirely unjustified, that Britain's present policy towards American trade is responsible for the depression in certain industries dependent on European markets. The Foreign Office announces that Sir Edward Grey's reply will be drafted in the same friendly spirit as that of President Wilson's Note. ME. WILSON'S FEARS. GOOD FEELING ENDANGERED. (Received January 1, 11 p.m.) London, December 31. Mr. Wilson's Note is almost more comminatory than appeared from the summaries. It apprehends that unless the trade of neutrals improves, a feeling will be aroused contrary to what has long existed between America and Britain. JAPAN INVOLVED. ACTION IN PACIFIC. Washington, December 31. Charges that Japan is treating the Pacific coast shipping in a similar manner regarding contraband, as the treatment being meted out by Britain, have been made before the Congressional Shipping Committee. Several companies alleged that Japan had been holding their vessels and searching them in the high seas. Representative Towner urged Congress to empower the President to prohibit the exportation of all supplies. FRICTION INEVITABLE. SEARCH A NECESSITY. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, December 31. The Times' legal correspondent, commenting on the American Note, remarks: No war lasts without some friction between the belligerents and neutrals, especially if the operations are on both sea and land. The rights and duties of the two parties can scarcely fail to come into conflict at some points. Between Britain" and the United States special bonds exist. Both - have stringent foreign enlistment acts. Each agrees about the duties of neutrals under th» Washington treaty. Both promised to bring these duties under the notice of other States. Undoubtedly the right to search causes inconvenience, especially in these days when vessels often carry •general cargoes of a prodigious variety, stowed scientifically by expert stevedores, and necessitating a prolonged search, if it is to be effective. OPINION IN FRANCE, ALLIES JUSTIFIED. (Eecoived January 2, 12.5 a/m.) Pabis, January 1. The Temps, commenting on the Note, says that the discovery of the plot to supply Germany with contraband through Italy, justifies the allies' strict searching of neutral 1 shipping. "We may consider means to regulate the exercise of the right of search," it observes, " but we cannot refrain from applying it to the full extent." SEIZED BY BRITAIN. 19,350 TONS OF COPPER. (Received January 2, 12.5 a.m.) New York, January 1. Senator Walsh, in a friendly speech, stated that Britain had detained 31 ships carrying 19,350 tons of American copper, and had seized ; the cargo as contraband.