Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-02-26
ENGLAND REFUSES CLAIMS MADE
BY WASHINGTON GOV.
=RNMENT.
CIVIL WAR CASES ARE CITED
Sir Edward Grey In Reply to Ameri-
can Note Says Impossible to Dis
tinguish Between German Army and
civilians-Prize Court to Hear Cases.

Washington, Feb. 19.-The text of
the British governments reply to the
American protest against British in
reference with American commerce
was made public on Wednesday stimuli
taneously in Washington and Iordon-
The British government refuses to
accept responsibility for the situation
of American commercial and indus
trial interests, described as '%pitiful"
in the protest of the United States.
1t say that the effect of the war
has been not to increase but practi-
cally arrest the decline of American
exports, which was in progress
earlier in the year; and it adds
that the cause of the u~nfavorable
can government ought in fairness to
be sought elsewhere than in the ac-
tivities of his majesty's naval forces"
In effect The contentious Of the
British note are:
L. Comparison of figures shows that
a substantial part of the European
trade of the United States wa. in fact
trade intended f. the enemy coun'
tries going through neutral ports by
routes TO which it was previously IN
accustomed.
2. The serious shortage of shipping
and the consequential result of exces
sive freights has not been caused by
Great Britain's interference with neu
trail ships. even only of which are
awaiting adjudication in British prize
courts.
8. The detention of neutral ships
with a view to the capture of contra
band has not contributed nearly sc
much to the shortage of shipping a:
has the destruction of neutral vessel:
(25 to date) by German submarine
mines.
4. There is far more reason for pro
test against the use of mines thar
against British exercise of the righ'
OF Selling contraband.
5. Changed conditions of transporta
ton justifes Great Britain in interior
ing with commerce intended ior The
enemy routed through a neutral port
6. Difficulties in the way of visit ant
search In stormy weather require
British cruisers to order neutral sus
poets to go to a convenient place TO
search, a course followed by the Unite,
States during the Civil war. But thi
right must be exercised with due re
gard for neutral interests.
7. Diplomatic action should not b
taken in behalf of neutral ships o
cargoes until their legal remedie
have been exhausted, and in order t
aid American citizens to obtain thei
rights, the fact of detention and tn
grounds therefor are notified to tn
American ambassador.
s. Delays in connection with tn
procedure instituted against neutra
shipping and cargoes have been min
mized.
9. In the peculiar circumstances &
the present struggle where the force
of the enemy comprise so large a PR
portion of the population and wher
there Is so little evidence of shil
ments on private as distinguishe
from government account, 1t is MOI
IedSOHdDle lndI the UuTu6u Oi PROF.
should rest upon the shipper.
10. In the absence of the certaint
of German observance of the rule th
British government feels great doul
that q. belligerent should abstain frol
interference with the eoodstufs Il
tended for the civil population.
IL. Moreover, experience shows TIL
the power of requisition will be use
in order to make sure that the wan
of the military are supplied. Howev,
much goods may be imported for civ
Use, it is by the military that the vi
be consumed If military exigencies r
quire it, especially now that the &c
mar government have taken contr
of all foodstuffs of the country.
IL. In several cases the Britil
} government has waived its bellige
ent right to treat as enemy vesse
|, ships. incorporated in Germany viii,
were subsidiary to and owned
r American corporations.
! 13. The British government has
| deavored to exercise its belligere
rights with every possible consider
ton for the interest Of neutrals.