New-York tribune., 1915-03-16
Answer Handed to Page
Says No Bargain with
Germany Is Possible.
ASOUITH EXPLAINS
REPRISAL DECISION
One of Two Notes Is First Ad-
mission of American Inquiry
as to It's Meaning.
LBg c.ble % The Tribune.


London. March l5.-The Allies
smashing blow to German commerce,
intended to cut off supplies for the
enemy and paralyze Germany's exports.
has been delivered. In an Order or
Council published to-day Premier As
ouith's declaration on March /, when
he announced the Allies intentions OF
stopping the ingoing and outconlng
commerce Of Germany "a means OF
reprisal against Germany's submarine
warfare, as we'll ~ multitudinous other
alleged violations Of the rules of civil
ized warfare, is defined.
The order itself seems complete. It's
wording sounds conclusive, yet there
are left certain loopholes, certain lati-
tude, whereby concessions or modltca-
tons can be made which would allevl-
ate the conditions FOR neutrals. In the
main, however, the order contemplates
complete stoppage of German COM
mercC.
The British government to-day de-
livered two notes to Ambassador rage.
One answered the recent American IN
duiry concerning the meaning OF As
quith's declaration, which inquiry was
never officially admitted until now.
The other was an answer to the Amerl-
can note concerning the German SUP
marine blockade and the British stop
page of German food supplies and the
like, which was sent to Germany also
and recently was answered by Ger
many.
The firsv note gave full explanation
of the British intentions which are set
forth in the Order in Council which
already has been sent to Washington.
The second note contained an almost
wholly urfavorable answer TO the
American suggestion of an agreement
whereunder Germany might cease her
submarine blockade if Great Britain al
tered her contraband policy.
Concerning this suggestion and Ger
many's answer thereto, the situation -
simply that Great Britain doesn't con-
slider it possible TO enter into any
agreement with Germany, whose word
of honor she shows she is entirely un-
willing to accept. II is said, to be
any good whatever. German promises
must be guaranteed by America, which
is considered impossible. Besides that,
il is pointed out that Germany's an
swer to America declines to stop sub
marining British merchantmen or to
cease Gowing mines on the high seas
for offensive purposes.
Ii is noticed here that the Order in
Council unqualifedly states that com
merce With German ports, incoming
and outgoing, "shalI" be interrupted,
while commerce through neutral coun-
tries may" be stopped. There Is, 1t Is
stated significance 10 this distinction.
1t makes exceptions possible, giving
the government discretion.
In addition to the order itself there
is tonight an unofficial yet fully au-
thoritatiye amplitication or eXplana-
tion of the document which, in all like
lihood, is much the same explanation
which has been furnished to the Amer
lean government. IL is pointed out
that wide discretion has been given to
the prize court, so that decisions con
cerning the rights of neutrals VIII be
facilitated. 1t is also stated that neu-
tral governments may be certain that
instructions will issue TO officials 70
give the utmost dispatch possible IN
every case concerning neutral inter
ests.
1t is declared in this informal eX-
plsnation that it is the intention Of
Great Britain to establish an effective
blockade. but that it has been decided
that in the desire 10 alleviate the bur-
den which necessarily falls on neu-
trails there shall be no confscation
such as formal blockade would in
yolve.
Following a statement of various in
fractions of the rules of international
law which would Justify this British
action, it is declared in this informal
exposition Of the British case that the
charge against Great Britain of in
humanity in connection with cutting