The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-18
DENY CHARGE THAT BRITISH
TRADE DEPRESSION.
Holds Promiseuous Stre~ina Of Mines
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Legal
Phases Of Controversy.

Phases Of Controversy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL Great
Britain's second and complete reply
TO the American note of protest. which
on December 2S last asked for an
early Improvement In the treatment
OF American commerce by the British
fleet, was made public tonight by mu-
partment and the British foreign Of
nee. The note, addressed to Ambassa-
dor Page by Sir Edward Grey under
date Of February 10. denies that the
depression in American industries is
due to the activity OF the British fleet
and suggests among other causes the
shortage OF shipping facilities, the
consequent diminution Of cotton trade
and the destruction by submarine
mines laid by the enemy indiscTtmi-
nately" OF many neutral vessels.
After giving a lengthy and detailed
answer to the charge that American
ships and cargoes were being unduly
detained, the communication contains
in its concluding paragraphs the an
nouncement that Great Britain in
tends to take retaliatOry measures
against the German submarine cam
paign against enemy slips but does
not reveal their nature.
Conceding that foodstuffs intended
for the civil population of a country
are not contraband. the British gov
eminent points out that in any coun-
mendous organization for war as now
obtains in Germany. there Is no clear
division between those whom the goy-
eminent Is responsible for feeding
and those whom IL Is not"
1T will still be our endeavor."
says the final paragraph. ito avoid in
Jury and loss TO neutrals, but the an
nOuncement by the German govern
ment OF their intention to sink mer-
chant vessels and their cargOes with
of haf ell mr.
character and without making any
provision for the safety OF non-com-
blatant crews or giving them a chance
OF saving their lives. has made II nee
essary for his majesty's government
10 consider what measures they
should adopt to protect their inter
ests. II Is impossible for one bellig-
erent to depart from rules and pre-
cedents and for the other TO remain
bound By them"
Legal Principles.
Supplementing the preliminary re-
ply OF several weeks ago. the new note
Is about ten thousand words long and
includes not only statistical argu-
ment. but a further discussion Of the
legal principles. Foremost. howev-
or. IL the denial Of the British gov
eminent that the depression In Amer
lean Industries referred 10 In the
American note was due TO the alleged
Interference Of the British feet with
any exercise Of belligerent rights"
Since the presentation Of the pre-
liminary note. Sir Edward states that
he has had further opportunity OF
examining into the trade statistics or
the United States az embodied 10 tho
customs returns. in order 10 see
whether the belligerent action OF
Great Britain has been In any way
the cause OF the trade depression
which your eNcellcncy Ambassador
Page describes az existing in the
United States and also whether the
seizures of vessels or careOes which
have been made by the British navy
have inflicted any loss on American
owners for which our existing ma
chinery provides no means ~ re-
dress"
In setting out the results Of my I'm.
yestlgati0n. /" writes the British score.
tary. y think % well 20 take the Oh.
purtuni'y ~ giving n general review
u The methods employed b. His
Majesty government 90 iuffrCon. con
trabnnd trade with the enemy. nf their
cOnslsiency with Tho admitted rIFht
~ belilFrrent 20 intercept such trade
and also n the extent 30 which they
have endeavorcd to meet the represen.
tafiOns and complaints from Time 10
time addressed 10 Thorn ON bahaId of
the United States government
Situation ptfgi
Towards the close ~ your note Of
The Isth December VOW oNgolfanlv
described The situation produced hv
The action ~ Great Britain as d piffful
one % the commercial interests ~ the
United states and sald that many 0f
the great indusfrica OF the country
were suffering because their product
we're denied long established markofa
IN neutral European countries con
tnEuoua n The nations AZ war
y DO not underefand tho para ~raoh
Which havr quoted from r0ur FrrrI
iencya note aH REFERRING 10 fhnsa Ir
direct consequence o. ffo efafe ID
war. but 20 The more u~Ur mate rrH
direct etrcf n our heilircront arfi0u