The Contraband Controversy.

NZ Truth, Issue 508, 13 March 1915, Page 5

The Contraband Controversy.

The United States protest against the very effective control which tbo British Navy has been exercising over contraband can easily be made amonable to diplomatic' discussion. It la hardly worth while speculating whether it is friendly or not. The facts are there, and Britain has nothing to be ashamed of. One paper has had the impudence to assert that the protest Is the product of German intrigue. This Is an Insult to the President, Who has honored America's neutrality m every detail. Woodrow Wilson Is not exactly the kind of man to make himself the tool of Bemstoff and Dernberg and Bidder. American exporters are business men, and they can't be blamed for considering their pockets before Britain's interests. There is no question, on Britain's part, oC ham-* perlng American trade with Europe so long as it is legitimate: but there is ill ways the great difficulty of rfeco*ncH-« ing the commercial Interests of a neutral country, like America with Brltain's military Interests. Thero Is no conflict of principle. America doesn't deny Britain's right to be strict about contraband; but they say that Britain's method of seachlng their ships and taking them Into port is an irri* tating procedure, and causes unduo dc* lay. Germany may be gloating over the prospect of friotlori "between the United States and Britain, through the vexed contraband question: but the gradual and sure strangulation of their trade and economic system is of more moment than any fleeting .satis* faction they may cherish owing to the* interchange of Notes and Protests between America and Britain. Britain's I contraband policy,' It must be admitted, has not been consistent. First, ah o adopted 'the! ' Declaration 'of l<ondon, with slight alteration^ and she ha a revised the contraband schedules fou? times. This is perplexing to the Nav>%