The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-29
BRITAIN'S STAND
BASED ON Ruling
in war OF 1870.
Assent to Transfer of Foreign
Ships Found in Words of
Earl Granville.
FRANCE ALONE OBJECTS
Holds Purchase Of Merchant
Vessels Here Would Give
Germany Funds.
PRESIDENT FIRM ON SUBJECT
Believes Act Does Not Violate Neu-
traity and Is Hopeful Further Re-
monstrance Viii Not Be Made.
FRANCE ALONE OBJECTS
PRESIDENT FIRM ON SUBJECT
ny CHARLES N. CLARK.

In refusing to support her ally. France,
in her remonstrance against the United
States purchasing German merchant
ships rnarooned in neutral ports Great
Britain occupies a unique position. Her
acquiescence in the proposed transfer Of
the ships, though, is entirely in accord
with the position she has consistently
maintained in her foreign relations.
This development also simpHfies the
position in which the United States Is
placed as the result Of Frances protest
President Wilson has shown no signs OF
an intention to recede from the position
that the commerce and trade Of the
United States is not to be checked as
the necessary effect of her neutrality;
:h6t the purchase of the ships for the
protection of her commerce and trade
should not be construed as a violation OF
her neutrality simply because the money
which would change hands might be
converted into war funds by anybody.
In contrast with the right OF expectation
of munitions of war to belligerent
country, which is conceded TO all neu-
trails, buying q belligerent's ships solely
for the protection Of the buyers trade
and commerce is everywhere, except in
France, apparently regarded as almost
infinitesimal. In so standing the Presi-
dent evidently has been guided largely
by diplomatic correspondence between
Great Britain and Prussia in 1870 during
the Franco-Prussian war.
Before returning to New York yester-
day Count Won Bernstorff the German
Ambassador. said he could sse no fair
objection on the part Of any other gov
eminent to the purchase of German mer-
chant SHIPS by the American government
at this time.
Tine money would not be paid to the
German steamship lines until after the
war. in any event. he said, and the
gamer would be tho United States. which
IS in need OF ships. OF course, it might
help some of US IN case we want to get
back to Germany as We would not be
taken off American ships in the manner
in which we now are being taken off
vessels when We attempt to return"
Means Money for Germany.
The French view is that through the
purchase of these ships vast sums Of
money would pour into German bands
and become available, although perhaps
indirectly, to the German army and
navy This, it is contended, would be
tantamount to raising money through
the agency OF the United States for Ger
many use. That the question is a novel
one in international relations seems TO
have been conceded by diplomats. No
precedents have been pointed out How
LIT d al may 4dNLAIls dlA bS44l-
gerent directly or indirectly. Intentionally
or unintenuonally, without violating her
neutrality. is entertainingly discussed in
a sharp reply by Earl Granville TO Count
Bernstorff, dated September Is, 1870.
Munitions OF war and coal had been
shipped from England to. France and
Prussia demonstrated. reminding Great
Britain Of her own protest during the
Crimean war against Prussia allowing
munitions Of war to be shipped through
her dominion to Russia. with whom Eng
land was then at war. Prussia through
Count Bernstorff. insisted that the two
cases were on all foUrs, but Earl Gran
vile. speaking for Great Britain, took
issue with him upon this proposition and
refused TO prohibit further expectations
Of war munitions and coal into France.
No Protest from Britain.
From the British foreign secretary's
arguments in this correspondence it is
quite clear that the United States need
expect no protest from that country in
the present controversy. Great Britain's
attitude. like that of Prussia, was that a
neutraPs obligations do not require her
to block her own commerce. Upon this
point, the British foreign secretary said:
The Prussian government, when this
state Of things was brought TO its
notice. affirmed. not that it was justified /
in permitting these exports on the prin-
Ciple Of benevolent neutrality but that |