UNITED STATES COMPLAINTS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11696, 16 October 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES COMPLAINTS.

REPLY BY ALLIES.

iiO AGREEMENT POSSIBLEAustralian and New Zealand Cable Association, Received Oct. 16, 9.35 a.m. New York, Oct. 14. The Allies’ reply to the American protest regarding mails leaves the question unsettled. It poin's out that the Allies and America ;r-.:ree on principles hot diner on method. The Allies insist that the diversion of neutral ships to allied ports does not amount to illegal jurisdiction. Merchant vessels voluntarily entering port also must submit to Allied jurisdiction. It is legitimate for the Allies to ascertain that they are not carrying anything hostile to their interests. The German custom of disguising even official correspondence dealing with hostilities renders supervision imperative. The Allies point out that Germany declined to recognise the Hague Convention, which was not signed bv certain Powers. Nevertnel the Allies bad been guided by the Intention of the convention. Therefore they forward inoffensive mails as quickly as possible. Regarding the right of sqarcb of mails -m the high seas, the Allies adopt a reasonable interpretation of the convention, but have not admitted and cannot admit that this imposed a definite legal obligation. They expressly reserve to themselves the '"ight of searcn on the high seas onould snch step be necessary. Owing to abuses, fraud, dissimulation and deceit on the part of the enemy experience had shown that mail examination resulted in the detection of dangerous plots, which wonid not have spared even nentrals. German naval authoiities destroyed- mails at sea without examination.

After dealing in detail with the treatment of different classes of correspondence, the Note says the rights of the United States cannot include protection of correspondence of a hostile character or disguised, or for a direct or indirect hostile destination. The Allies were always ready to investigate faults and abuses and determine the responsibility therefor.

The New York Times comments that the differences seem irreconcilable. The puzzle is how to keep neutral malls inviolable and yet permit belligerents to search for contraband. N.Z. WOUNDED IN ENGLAND. ENTERTAINED BY N.Z.W.C.A. London, Oct. 15. The New Zealand War Contingent Association entertained many convalescents gathered from the hospitals around London, The Hon. W. F, Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were present, and conversed with the men. Mr Massey congratnlated them on the good reputation they had earned on all bauds, and on behalf of New Zealand he thanked them for performing their duty. He also expressed the grateful thanks of New Zealand to the women of London for the noble work they had done amongst the New Zealand wounded. Sir Joseph Ward, in supporting Mr Massey, said he knew they would try to uphold New Zealand's honour and fight to the last. There could he no talk of any makeshift peace. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward visited New Zealand wounded at Chelsea. They will spend Sunday with the wounded at Erokelhurst hospital.

COMPULSORY SYSTEM IN AUSTRALIA

Melbourne, Oct. IS.

Official.—Pigures of compuisory enrolment show that of 149,199 who reported 56,518 claimed exemption, 34,802 were declared unlit, and 6031 were fit.