File No. 763.72112/2176
The Consul General at London ( Skinner ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 1.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith various newspaper articles of recent date, which indicate that there is much dissatisfaction with the manner in which the blockade against Germany is being carried on.1 The Government is being taken to task with great violence for having permitted large quantities of goods to reach Germany, and public opinion is in such an angry frame of mind that it is extremely improbable that the blockade policy can be modified in the direction of greater liberality. The conviction prevails that Germany is suffering severely from economic pressure, and there appears to be a demand for the application of still greater pressure. While the foregoing states the case generally, it seems to me that there are a number of questions in regard to which the British Government might take action without endangering itself politically, and which, if adjusted satisfactorily, would do away with a very large proportion of reasonable complaints from American shippers. Among the points which have been brought to my attention repeatedly, are the following:
- (1)
- Application of blockade measures to exports from Great Britain in the same manner as to exports from the United States. Shippers from this country are permitted to know in advance whether seizure would follow from shipment, while shippers from the United States are unable to know the fate in store for their goods until they are seized or delivered.
- (2)
- Liberty to American shippers to forward without inconvenience such goods as are permitted by Great Britain to be shipped through Denmark even to belligerent countries, under the Anglo-Danish agreement. It is obviously unreasonable to permit dried fruit, for example, to reach Germany via Denmark in some cases, while compelling other shippers of the same goods to go into the prize court.
- (3)
- Assurances that when shippers have fully complied with the Netherlands Oversea Trust requirements as to consignments, their consignments shall be guaranteed immunity—which is not the case at present.
- (4)
- Full information as to the “rationing” of neutral counties, under which the quantities of goods allowed to such countries are fixed, together with such assurances and facts as might [Page 341] be necessary to prove that all countries were on an equal footing in competing for the sale of the amounts allowed under the “rationing” understanding.
- (5)
- Immediate adjustment of claims arising from detentions involving no accusations against the shippers, as, for example, when goods are required to be sold in this country although destined for another country. Adjustment should include payment to the owner of the goods of the sale price realized in this country, plus the difference between that price and the amount which would have been realized in the country of original destination. In such cases, claimants not to be obliged to pay fees to Admiralty Marshal or other charges.
- (6)
- Immediate payment of all expenses of whatsoever sort by British Government when goods are detained and subsequently are released and allowed to go forward, detention being recognized as uncalled for.
- (7)
- Immediate payment to shipowners of demurrage when American vessels are detained and events demonstrate that vessel was not carrying contraband. Remission of port dues, pilotage and the like in British ports when innocent vessels are required to await the pleasure of the Admiralty.
- (8)
- No neutral concern to be “blacklisted” without first communicating proposed action to the neutral government with statement of reasons for the proposed action.
- (9)
- Appointment of a committee with power to deal finally with claims arising under any of the foregoing heads, claimants having the right to accept the proposed settlements or await the conclusion of the war and such remedies as might be secured them by diplomatic action.
While the neutral governments might hesitate to negotiate for the adoption of any or all of the foregoing suggestions, nothing whatever prevents the British Government from adopting them voluntarily. If this should be done, I have no doubt that it would promote good feeling and reduce the causes of friction very substantially.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩