(72497/14).
343
were being carried from a foreign port may be doubtful,
but if they were coming from a British port, the Trad ing
with the Enemy proclamation of August 5th (which was
then in force) forbidding the carriage of any goods des-
tined for enemy territory would apply. Whichever pro-
clamation the case falls under, a British official would
appear to be justified in preventing the carriage of
goods which he suspected would go to enemy territory,
especially when those goods are munitions of war.
With regard to the question of compensation the
right would probably depend on the reasonableness of
Sir E. Fraser's suspicions, which are strongly supported
by the fact that Armstrong Whitworth and Company's agente
were Germans and under German jurisdiction. So far however
as the Secretary of State is aware, although since the
outbreak of war the actions of British officials have
caused loss to British Steamships in many instances, His
Majesty's Government have not admitted liability in any
case, but have left claimants to establish any rights which
they