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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

No.

Date

From and to whom

Subject

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241

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The Ambassador thought that the British Government did not realize that Germany and Austria had promised to abide by the Declaration of London; great advantage to have uniform code of naval warfare. Will submit the United States proposals to Grey by telegram. Britain urged to accept Declaration of London in order that all belligerents may agree on conditions. Permissible that list of conditional and absolute contraband be added to, also that embargoes be arranged with neutral countries.

A new order in council will be drawn up, specifying added articles of conditional and absolute contraband. Special arrangements made with Netherlands concerning embargoes on foodstuffs. Mines laid in English Channel by British makes safe route from America to Holland around Scotland. Repetition of arguments for adopting Declaration of London.

Draft of new order in council containing lists of conditional and absolute contraband submitted to United States for approval. British are under false impression that United States has proposed articles to be placed on lists of contraband.

Denial that additions of petroleum and motors to contraband list were suggested by United States. Spring Rice made suggestion. Shipping controversy academic. Life of English-speaking civilization is at stake. Friendly relations with England are in jeopardy; also our usefulness in bringing about peace.

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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

No.

Date

From and to whom

Subject

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Suggests that England, France,
and Russia adopt Declaration
of London without amend-
ments, thus making effective
the German and Austrian
acceptance. Later Britain can
proclaim additions to list of
contraband. If military sup-
plies are discovered en route
through a neutral country to
Germany, that neutral would
be subject to the rules govern-
ing trade with the enemy.
The United States is bound to
recognize the rights of neutrals;
proposed order in council does
not accept the Declaration of
London without change; this
unsatisfactory to other bel-
ligerents. Objections enumer-
ated.
President Wilson urges Ambassa-
dor to use persuasion in effect-
ing an understanding concern-
ing commerce. United States
has pointed out a way of ac-
complishing it with least fric-
tion.
Declaration of London forbids

addition to contraband list of
articles such as rubber and iron
ore, now necessary for manu-
facture of war materials.
Therefore Britain cannot accept
it. To do so and then issue a
proclamation contradicting a
part of it would be impossible.
Britain will issue an order in
council which will disturb neu-
tral commerce as little as pos-
sible, reserving right to stop
cargoes of contraband evidently
destined for enemy. United

States can make claim for dam-
ages.

Repetition of reasons why Britain
will not adopt Declaration
of London. Requests United
States not to protest against
order in council, but to act on
merits of each particular case
of detained vessels.
British will accept Declaration of
London on general terms, mak-
ing exceptions in draft procla-
mation already submitted,
solely to prevent contraband
reaching enemy. United States
asked not to make formal pro-
test.

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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

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Subject

Grey's proposal should be accept-
ed as an emergency plan; thus
throwing responsibility on Brit-
ish Government. Preferable
to a break with Great Britain.
United States Government up-
held doctrine of continuous
voyage during Civil War, which
Grey now wishes to establish.
Request that House be sent to
confer with Grey.

Grey gives reasons why British
reject Declaration of London:
(1) Parliament considers it un-
satisfactory; (2) Article 28

excludes rubber, metallic ores,
and hides from treatment as
contraband; (3) Holland a base
for military supplies for Ger-
many. Britain considers Dec-
laration advantageous to Ger-
many.
United States withdraws its
request that belligerents adopt
Declaration of London. Insists
that its rights be defined by
existing rules of international
law. Reserves right to protest
in case of violation.
Grey expresses satisfaction that
United States will not offer
protest against new order in
council but will reserve right
to enter protest where rights
are considered violated. Prom-
ise to consider all cases in
friendly spirit.
Overwhelming military business
absorbs Government. Diffi-
cult to get_information or
attention of Foreign Office.
Inform German Government
United States withdraws sug-
gestion for adoption of Declara-
tion of London by belligerents;
will insist upon rights and
protest if they are violated.

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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

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Subject

New order in council to be issued
after conference with France;
to be published in United States
as soon as possible. Urge upon
British Government prompt
action and publicity of facts
in every case of detention of
vessels.

United States cannot foretell the
effect of new order in council,
and does not waive the right to
protest against the inclusion of
any article in list of contraband.
Transmits revised British list of
articles of contraband; also
order in council of October 29
defining attitude of Britain
toward Declaration of London
together with modification of

same.

Forwards memorial of German
Foreign Office of October 10
protesting the attitude of the
British and French Govern-
ments respecting the Declara-
tion of London.
Encloses two notes from Foreign
Office containing notification
of additional lists of articles
of contraband.
Transmits memorandum of For-
eign Office concerning attitude
of Great Britain and France in
regard to the Declaration of
London.

Aluminum and nickel added to
German list of conditional con-
traband.

Ottoman Government proclaims
list of absolute and conditional
contraband.

Ottoman Government communi

cates additional list of contra-
band articles.

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268

From the Consul

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[Rec'd

Dec. 24]

General at Lon-
don (telegram).

absolute and conditional con-
traband of December 23.

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LXX

PART II

CORRESPONDENCE WITH AMERICAN CITIZENS, FIRMS, AND ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE INTERESTS WERE AFFECTED BY THE PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDERS OF BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS REGARDING CONTRABAND AND TRADE WITH ENEMY COUNTRIES-ACTION ON PARTICULAR COMMODITIES

SHIPMENTS OF GRAIN AND FOODSTUFFS-MARINE INSURANCE

No.

Date

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From and to whom

From the Board of Trade of Kansas City (telegram). To the Vice President of the Board of Trade of Kansas City.

Aug. 3

From the Insurance
Company
North America.

of

Aug. 7

To the Insurance
Company

of

Aug. 6

Aug. 8

Aug. 15

Nov. 6

North America.

From Representa-
tive Stephens.

To Representative
Stephens (tele-
gram).

Public circular is-
sued by the De-
partment of State.

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Not probable that countries now
at war will consent to any mod-
ification of the rules of inter-
national law regarding the
Any information which Depart-
rights of neutrals.
ment can give regarding con-
ditional contraband, rights of
belligerents to capture neutral
property, etc., will be of great
advantage to the public and
the Company.
Contraband of war and maritime
commerce during a state of war
are subject to so many qualifi-
cations and exceptions that
Department thinks it best for
Company to consult private
counsel and standard works on
international law.
Transmits telegram from Wichita
Mill and Elevator Company,
asking if wheat can be moved
under American flag from Gal-
veston to England, France,
and Holland without violation
of neutrality; also asks if Gov-
ernment will furnish escort for
Grain classed as conditional con-
fleet of grain-carrying steamers.
traband of war, subject to
seizure if consigned to belliger-
ent government, its army or
navy. Government could not
furnish escort. Foreign boats
under foreign registration can
not cancel same and register in
United States. Foodstuffs sent
to Holland not contraband.
Neutrality; contraband; seizure
of ships and cargo.

SHIPMENTS OF COPPER

From the Perth Am-
boy Board of
Trade (telegram).

Protests against British deten-
tion of neutral vessels bearing
copper to neutral countries
and the placing of unwrought
copper on absolute contraband
list, causing thousands of men
to be thrown out of work.
Asks prompt action by Gov-
ernment to clarify situation.

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