New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-03
BRITAIN'S POLICY
CALLED ILLICIT
Washington Hopes for
Modification of Present
Reprisals System.
TONE IS FRIENDLY
President Wilson Held in Eng
land To Be Author of All
Recent Notes.
IBY Cahle % The rrihnns

London, April 2.-From an authori-
tative source The Tribune has obtained
a general description OF the American
note protesting against the British re-
prisals. II is a lengthy communication,
one of the chief characteristics where
of is an expression of American friend
ship for England. President Wilson
for it is he who, in England, is held
TO be the author Of all these commune
cations-dwells rather conspicuously
on the long continued peace between
the two countries and remarks how the
two nations have remained on terms
of complete concord for a century.
The note, though firm and precise in
its general tone, is not particularly
vigorous in those parts setting forth
Americas objections to the Allies long
distance type of blockade, nor is it ag-
gressive in any part. Notably, it fails
to make any promise of drastic action
If Americas objections are not met, as
was stated in a Washington dispatch
TO the London newspapers two days ago.
British Precedents Quoted.
The note is a legal document con.
tanning citations showing the illicit
nature and the illegality OF the block
ade, and emphasizing how the new
Anglo-French policy contravenes previ-
Gus international law, including the
rules and regulations always followed
by Great Britain herself. IL quotes
British precedents which support Amer
ics's objections TO the policy now
adopted.
The interference with Americas COM
merce with neutral countries is, Of
course, dwelt upon, and it is pointed
out that by all law commerce is i'm
mune from interference save respecting
contraband provedly destined for the
enemy.
The area Of the blockade, which un-
der the present scheme is being carried
on at a great distance from all Ger
man ports, is another important feat
ure of the American point Of view as
embodied in the note. The Tribune
understands that the American govern
ment hopes to obtain some modification
of the blockade order which will i'm
prove conditions for American COM
merce, and there is one report current
to the effect that the note makes cer-
tain suggestions, but concerning this TO
absolute information is obtainable.
People Approve Policy.
There can be no doubt, however. that
the note will in no way alter the Allies
determination upon these reprisals IL
for no other reason than that public
opinion would tolerate no abandonment
of the scheme The public mind is in
famed by the Falaba and other similar
cases and does not consider the gov.
ernment is going far enough as IL is.
Notifications, however, are possible.
The Order in Council has purposely
been left open in certain respects for
the purpose of making notifications IL
any can be made without affecting the
general scheme for stopping German
commerce.
While the note clearly defines Ameri-
can objections and protects American
interests it is deprived of any acerbity
by the tone of frank friendliness which
runs through the whole document.
Ii is generally considered here that
England has a very good case against
American objections in the precedents
furnished by the Civil War. IL was
then that America established the doe
trine of continuous voyages to which
objection is now taken. Concerning
the area of the blockade and opera
tions far distant from enemy ports 10
will be pointed out by England that
American ships made seizures in mid
Atlantic even of vessels en- route be-
tween British ports, such AS Liverpool
and Nassau.