Evening star., 1915-04-06
u. S. Note to England Insists
on Free Commerce With
\ Non- BeIIigerents.
"TO ADMIT BRITISH RIGHT
WOULD BE UNNEUTRAL"
London Newspapers Declare Tone OF
Communication to Be Frank
and Friendly"

With the publication today of its
mote in reply TO the British govern
Sent's order in council proclaiming a
Virtual blockade against commerce TO
and from Germany, the American gov
arnment rested its-case. Great Britain
3e now looked to to make the next
move and her course is awaited with
the keenest interest in official and
diplomatic circles here.
The note. though couched in the
most friendly language. denies the
right of Great Britain and her allies
to blockade neutral ports, and reiter-
ates the intention of the United States
TO insist upon its rights.
1t declares that TO admit that right
would be 10 assume an attitude OF un-
neutrality toward the present enemies
of Great Britain. which would be
obviously inconsistent with the solemn
obligations of this government in the
present circumstances. and for Great
Britain to make such a claim would
be for her to abandon and set at
naught the principles for which she
has consistently and earnestly con-
tended in other times and circum-
stances"
Notes British Instructions.
The communication takes note of
forcement of the order is left largely
to the discretion of the prize courts.
the customs officers and the navy, and
the hope is expressed that the order
will not be enforced in such a way as
10 prevent the free transit of neutral
vessels from one neutral to another
through the Gordon of British warships
This government. therefore" the
note says, 'fnfers that the commanders
of his majesty's ships of war engaged
in maintaining the so-called blockade
will be instructed to avoid an enforce
ment of the proposed measures of nom
Interference in such a way as to i'm
pose restrictions upon neutral trade
more burdensome than those which
have been regarded as Inevitable when
the ports Of a belligerent are actually
blockaded by the ships of it's enemy"
Reparation to Be Demanded.
II Is then added that many possibil-
tiles are seen for serious interruption
Of American trade which would im-
pose upon his majesty's government
heavy responsibilities for the acts of
the British authorities" The note con-
riudes with the hope that the British
government. having considered these
possibilities. will take steps necessary
to avoid them. and. in the event that
they should unhappily occur, will be
prepared to make full reparation for
every act which under the rules of in
ternational law constitutes a violation
of neutral rights"
The text of the United States note
will be found in another column Of The
Star.
Wilson Expects Reply.
Although the American note does not
ask a reply. President Wilson told callers
today he expected one. The President
described the American note as not being
argumentative, but just a statement of
the understanding of the United States
on the law in the case.
Other International questions were not
discussed by the President with callers.
He refused to make any comment on the
Japanese situation, saying that the ques-
ton was so fluid that no definite state
uent could be made about it
The President said he was awaiting
further Information about the case of
Leon G. Thresher. drowned In the sink
ing Of the British ship Falaba by a Ger
StIbyna rtrp before depidjDO