The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-03
Wilson Denies the Right of
Any Nation to Break
the Rules
u. S. WILL PROTEST
STRONGLY TO ALLIES
Washington Still Ignorant
of Details of Block
ade' of Germany

Washington, D. c., March 3.-"No ma
ton has the right to change the inter
national rules of war Conditions o
war and under which nations shall wag'
warfare, have radically changed, but tn,
rules as laid down and subscribed to by
all powers still exist and must be lived
up to-"
Stripped of legal verbiage and diplo
matte assurances of good will this vii
be the answer of the United States t.
the latest announcement of Great Brit
ain and France, forbidding all trade with
Germany. 1t is the position of the Viii
son administration and will be adhered
to at all times.
President Wilson made it plain to his
callers yesterday that he believes that
the international rules apply equally to
all of the belligerent powers of Europe,
All have certain pledged duties to per-
form so far as this country is concerned,
And they will be reminded of these du-
lies in a most friendly but perfectly
firm manner.
The president and his cabinet consid-
cred the British pronouncement at some
length yesterday. 1t was stated, how
ever, that there was still considerable
doubt as to exactly what England meant
by her declaration, in which the use of
either the word blockade or contra
band" is carefully avoided. While it is
admitted that it is to be subject to fur
Their negotiations, the president told his
callers that it has been so far impossible
to accurately determine just how far
England and France want to 90 and how
they intend carrying out their plans.
The president accepts the note handed
to the United States and the declaration
made by Premier Asquth in the House
Of Comomns as the announcement only
of the policy The method of putting it
into effect is still to be determined, and
England and France are expected to
communicate to this government their
intentions in the latter connection.
This government, ii is learned. holds
that whether the belligerents in Europe
are violating their promises made to
each other is of no concern to the Unit
ed States. But when they violate their
promises and agreements with this gov
eminent the United States win insist
that they reconsider and maintain their
obligations.
And the president and cabinet are
hopeful that the very fact that England
has emphasized that her latest announce
ment is not reply to the suggestion by
the United States that all the belliger-
ents make concessions to limit the scope
of the war so far as non-combatants and
neitrals are concerned means that this
matter may yet be arranged.
While admitting the seriousness Of the
situation developing from the institu-
ton of Germany's submarine blockade
and by the glo-Frcnch ultimatum, Of
fetal Washington remains hopeful that
this country's friendly protests win be
heard.
II i now considered certain that the |
United States viii be asked BY the Euro |
pean neutral powers 10 permit them to 4
Join with America in dealing with an I
the late developments in the war situa-
ton, and that, presenting a united front, 4
they viii receive consideration from all 4
the belligerents