PART I

THE WAR IN THE FAR EAST: NEUTRALIZATION PROPOSALS-JAPAN'S ENTRANCE AGAINST GERMANY-THE EXTENSION OF OPERATIONS IN CHINA AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN-Continued

reply to question as to whether
German islands captured by
Japan have been turned over to
Australia for administration.
British inquire of Japan's pur-
pose in entering war. Baron
Kato assures American Am-
bassador that Japan is not in
war for selfish purpose but be-
cause of her alliance with
Great Britain.
British Legation was informed
unofficially of Japan's demands
in China, and has made infor-
mal representations to Japan-

ese.

Forwards extract from the Parlia-
mentary Supplement to the
Official Gazette of December 9
containing a speech of the Min-
ister of Foreign Affairs, who
denies the existence of an agree-
ment between Japan and any
nation binding Japan to retro-
cede Kiaochow to China.
Whether Japan will succeed to
Germany's rights in Shantung,
is left for future negotiations.
Encloses extract from Parliamen-
tary Supplement to the Official
Gazette of December 10, in
which Matsuda charged the
Cabinet with having given
guarantees to Great Britain
and United States that Japan
would retrocede Kiaochow to
China and that Japanese occu-
pation of Jaluit Island was only
temporary, and in which the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
denies the charge.
Encloses summary of further re-
plies by the Minister for For-
eign Affairs to parliamentary
inquiries regarding Japan's par-
ticipation in the war, Decem-
ber 10.

205

206

207

210

PART II: NEUTRAL RIGHTS

EFFORTS TOWARD RECOGNITION OF THE DECLARATION OF LONDON-PROCLAMATIONS, ORders, and DeCREES OF BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS ON CONTRABAND OF WAR AND TRADE WITH ENEMY COUNTRIES

LIST OF PAPERS BY TOPICS

PART II

EFFORTS TOWARD RECOGNITION OF THE DECLARATION OF LONDON-PROCLA-
MATIONS, ORDERS, AND DECREES OF BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS ON CONTRA-
BAND OF WAR AND TRADE WITH ENEMY COUNTRIES-Continued

Subject

Page

Aug.27]

Aug. 28

220

[Rec'd

Aug.29]

Russia (telegram).
From the Ambassa-

dor in Germany
(telegram).

adopted by England and France.
Germany desires to know attitude
of England and France toward
Declaration of London; also
attitude of United States to-
ward detention of neutral ves-
sels by England.
Germany cites cases where Eng-
land and France have not ob-
served Declaration of London,
and asks if American Govern-
ment acquiesces in such viola-
tions.

221

many
have specified the articles which
they intend to treat as contra-
band of war.

British Government asks if Ger-
and Austria-Hungary

221

222

French Government will observe
Declaration of London with cer-
tain reservations, additions, and
modifications, text of which is
transmitted.
Austria-Hungary wishes British
Government notified that they
will treat as absolute or condi-
tional contraband those objects
and materials enumerated in
Articles 22 and 24 of the Dec-
laration of London.
United States is considering vio-
lation of Declaration of Lon-
don by England and France
but declines to
opinion as to legality of their
removal of Germans of military
age from neutral vessels as
prisoners of war.
British have decided to adhere to
the Declaration of London with
modifications and additions, in
quoted memoranda and order
in council.
Encloses note of August 31, from
Foreign Office, in which United
States is requested to inquire
if Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary have specified the articles
which they intend to treat as
contraband.
Transmits memorandum of Au-
gust 27 relative to the applica-
tion of the Declaration of Lon-
don in the present war.

222

223

223

223

224

PART II

EFFORTS TOWARD RECOGNITION OF THE DECLARATION OF LONDON-PROCLAMATIONS, ORDERS, AND DECREES OF BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS ON CONTRABAND OF WAR AND TRADE WITH ENEMY COUNTRIES-Continued

Subject

United States wishes belligerents
to accept Declaration of London
as definite naval code, in order
to prevent misunderstandings.
The changes proposed by Great
Britain deny the rights of and
impose greater hardships upon
neutrals. Action of Great Brit-
ain inconsistent with policy
of her statesmen in former wars.
As changed by order in council,
Declaration of London can not
be accepted by United States,
as it would fail to safeguard
interests of her citizens and
those of other nations.
Instructs Ambassador to protest
against changes in Declaration
of London as they are certain
to arouse resentment in Amer-
ica. The Declaration repre-
sents the limit of restrictions
to which our people will submit.
British wish to avoid any action
which will give offense to United
States. Purpose is to prevent
enemy from receiving food and
material for military use.
cussion of whole matter pro-
posed.

Dis

Took up with the British Am-
bassador modifications of the
Declaration of London. Am-
bassador admitted that the
inclusion of foodstuffs in abso-
lute contraband was contrary
to British tradition, and that
it was better to get the Nether-
lands to place an embargo
thereon.
England agrees to make a new
list of absolute contraband and
to prepare a new order in coun-
cil, in which she will endeavor
to meet the wishes of United
States so far as possible; has
accepted Netherland assurance
that embargo will prevent ex-
portation of foodstuffs.
Transmits proclamation of Sep-
tember 21 specifying additional
articles which are to be treated
as contraband of war. This
to take the place of any other
order in council.

Page

225

232

233

233

235

236

LIST OF PAPERS BY TOPICS

PART II

EFFORTS TOWARD RECOGNITION OF THE DECLARATION OF LONDON-PROCLA-
MATIONS, ORDERS, And Decrees of Belligerent GovernmentS ON CONTRA-
BAND OF WAR AND TRADE WITH ENEMY COUNTRIES-Continued

226 Oct. 1 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (telegram).

227 do. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (telegram).

228.do.... _do_

Oct. 2 To the British Am-
bassador.

Subject

Declaration of London has not
been ratified; doctrine of con-
tinuous voyage has been part of
international law, upheld by
United States courts; proclama-
tion departing from the Decla-
ration of London should be
judged by rules of international
law accepted by courts and
applied in previous wars; Brit-
ish wish to prevent foodstuffs
and war material going to Ger-
many; cargoes have been bought
not confiscated; willingness to
come to an agreement.
Has proposed to United States
Ambassador that a new British
proclamation of contraband be
issued to supersede previous
with no mention of
Declaration of London along
the lines suggested by the
Cargoes con-
United States.
taining copper and petroleum
will be detained when con-

ones,

signed to

Netherland

Krupps. Relying
embargo,
upon
foodstuffs will be considered
non-contraband.

A summary of the correspondence
between United States and
Great Britain on the subject of
the Declaration of London.
British appreciate considera-
tion shown by President in not
making formal protest.
Instruction of September 26 re
Declaration of London and
order in council is not to be
presented to Foreign Office
until he is notified; the infor-
mation is for his own use in in-
formal discussions.
Expresses gratification over pro-
posed new order in council, but
desires to see text before ap-
proving or suggesting changes.
United States hopes that a naval
code will be adopted by all
nations. Germany and Aus-
tria have agreed to the adop-
tion of the Declaration of Lon-
don. The order in council
the
this. Under
prevents
Declaration a belligerent has
the right to add to the list of
absolute or conditional contra-
that Great
band. Suggests

Britain and France accept Dec-
laration and then modify lists.

Page

236

237

238

239

240

240

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