Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-02-24
!. S. P|: ! R FAILS.
ENGLAND REFUSES CLAIMS MADE
BY WASHINGTON Gov
EMINENT.
CIVIL WAR CASES ARE CITED
Sir Edward Grey In Reply to Amert-
can Note Says Impossible. to DIS.
tinauish Between German Army and
civiIlans-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 London.
The British government refuses to
accept responsibility for the situation
Of American commercial and indus
trial interests, described as "pitifuP
in the protest Of the United States.
It says 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 y adds
that the cause OF the unfavorable
condition described by the Ameri.
can government fought in fairness to
be sought elsewhere than In tie &C
tivities OF his majesty's naval forces"
In effect the contentious OF the
British note are: q y}. v, 4 ".
1. Comparison OF figures shows that
4 = substantial part OF the European
trade Of the United States was in fact
trade intended for the enemy coun-
tries going through neutral ports by
routes to which It was previously un-
accustomed. assff*
s# 8 2. The serious shortara OF shipping
and the consequential result Of exces-
sive freights has not been caused by
Great Britain's Interference with neu-
trail ships, seven only OF which are
\ awaiting adjudication In British prize
courts. III =s5. AZ I Il e
8. The detention Of neutral ships
& with q view to the capture of contra
4 band has not contributed nearly so
much to the shortage OF shipping az
q has the destruction OF neutral vessels
Il (25 to date) by German submarine
mines. 81 ssl5 b .;s r.
3s BIO 4. There is far more reason for pro
test against the use Of mines than
Y against British exercise Of the right
n Of selling contraband. #.lss35
35s s. Changed conditions OF Transports
\ ton justifies Great Britain in tnterfer
( ing with commerce intended for the
4 enemy routed through q neutral port
S 6. Difficulties in the way of visit and
4 search In stormy weather require
1 British cruisers to order neutral sus
poets to 60 to q convenient place fol
( search a course followed by the United
q States during the Civil war. But this
right must be exercised with due re
n gard for neutral interests. q IN Il
4 Diplomatic action should not be
\ taken In behalf Of neutral ships OF
4 cargoes until their legal remedies
have been exhausted, and in order tC
4 aid American citizens to obtain theil
rights, the fact of detention and the
grounds { therefor are notified to the
American ambassad OF. 545 h: s'3s
8: Delays In connection with the
procedure Instituted against neutral
shipping and cargoes have been mini
mized. E5ts B; NH 4 ,Sis si Al
8. In the peculiar circumstances Of
7 the present struggle where the forces
OF. the enemy comprise so large pro
4 portion Of the population and where
there is so little evidence of ship
ments on private as distinguished
from government account, it is most
reasonable that the burden OF proof
should rest upon the shipper
TO- In the absence of the certainty
OF German observance OF the rule the
British government feels great doubt
that q belligerent should abstain from
interference with the foodstuffs in
tended for the civil population. ~
II. Moreover, experience shows that
4 the power of requisition will be used
In order to make sure that the wants
OF the military are supplied. However
h much goods may be imported for civil
use, it is by the military that the will
be consumed If military exigencies re-
quire 1t, especially now that the Ger
man government have taken control
of all foodstuffs Of the country.
12.$ In several cases the British
government has waived its belliger-
/ ent right to treat as enemy vessels
ships incorporated in Germany which
\ were subsidiary to and owned by
American corporations.
s 13. The British government has en-
deavored to exercise it's belligerent
rights with every possible considera-
I; ton for the interest of neutrals.
-