Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-04
GERMANY'S REPLY TO AMERICAN NOTE
IS FRIENDLY in TONE; UNITED STATES
MUST PROTEST ALLIES LATEST MOVE
UNITED STATES
MUST
THINK

Inasmuch as the present step falls short
Of such a move, in that all commerce
Is to be interrupted without specifying
the zone of operations or radius of ac-
ton, the general belief of officials was
hat the United States would be Obliged
to enter vigorous protest.
Officials at the state department are
studying the Anglo-French declaration
with "A view to advising the President Of
the rights of neutrals which it seems
to ~transErcss.
The possibility that the reply of the
allies to the informal proposals of the
United States may introduce n basis for
further negotiation along lines that
would make unnecessary the embargo on
neutral proclaimed by Eng
land and France is recognized by Off
Gals generally as an important factor
in the future course of the American
government. If the reply from England
is to he long delayed by consultations
with the allies. however, there is a be-
lief in many quarters that acting on in
formal intimations of Great Britains dis
approval of the plans suggested for send
ing fOodstuffs to Germany, the United
states might send It's protest to Great
Britain in a few days.
The difficulties of the present situation
suggested to officials similar conditions
which existed a century ago. Under what
was known as the continental system 3
Eapoleon's plan for shutting England
out from all connection with the conti-
nent of Europe. a series of retaliatory
measures were practiced which subse-
quently involved in the war countries
ISL. H..
sued his famous Berlin decree declarinr
the British islands in a state of hlockadt
and prohibiting all m and CORE
spondence with England. Great Britain
was not long in making reprisals prohibit
ing all neutral vessels from entering any
port controlled by France or her allies
New French measures ollowed and then
ny the Milan decree of December II, anv
vessel of whatever nation that had been
searched by an English ship had been
sent on a vovage to England, or paid any
duty TO the English government was to
be declared 'denationalized - and treated
as English.
Most Of the countries of Europe were
compelled by Napoleon to join the
continental system" Russia refused to
adhere to it and went to war. AL
though "A state Of blockade was pro-
claimed there was no effort made in
many cases to maintain one. 1t was
against such a policy as this that the
United states protested in 1872 before
going to war with ENGLAND.
C%onstantin Brun. Danish minister.
called at the state department to-day
for information on the situation. He
said he thought shipping to and from
his country would not he interfered
with by the latest decree and that the
of neutral countries would
go on practically as il has since the
outbreak of the war. lie pointed out
that Denmark already has embargoed
Incorporation of all the articles de-
clared ms contraband by the allies and
that little or no commerce coming out
of Denmark originates In Germany.
Swedish Minister E%kengren also
sought information at the department
concerning the allies decree.