Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-11
Making Partial Amends

DROMPT protest from the State Depart
ment has resulted in the cancellation by
the British government OF the orders requisi-
tioning the locking and Genesee. two vessels
owned by the American TranSa lantic Com
pany, that were seized at sea by British
cruisers. To dispose Of the charge more or
less immatcrial-th these vessels are owned
i'll part by German subjects there will be IL
prompt trial III ii prize court. and. in the
meanwhile, two other steamships belonging
TO the same company are 10 be released under
bond.
This adjustment OF the controversy must
he regarded as fairly satisfactory at least
for the time. The evidence TO be adduccd at
the trial will show whether Great Britain had
reasonable ground for the action taken or
whether it was Il mere wanton interference
WITH American commerce. The officers uf
the company have filed aftidavits with the
State Department to the effect that every
share Of stock is owned by citizens of the
United States. There has been no statement
from British officials to Indicate that the
seizure OF the ships had any higher justiiica-
tion than suspicion
So far as the facts have been disclosed, this
appears to be one of the cases OF abuse of
sea power that have SO aroused the resent
ment OF the people of this country. There
has been no protest from this government
and relatively few individual protests against
such use OF sea power as is authorized by in
ternational law. President Wilson and Secre-
tary Lansing have admitted in their CORE
spondcncc with London that modern condj-
tons justify some relaxation OF former rules
ih"t British supremacy sea was a legiti-
mate advantage of war and that the allies
ought to be permitted 10 utilize it has been
recognized frankly and freely.
But with this Great Britain has not been
content. For her open and frequently adj
mitted violations OF law she has offered exact
~ the same justification that Germany offered
Tor the more trightful aspects of her sub
marine warfare--necesSity. England, so we
have been told over and over again. is fight
ING the battles OF civilization, and that excuses
everything that has been done
Well this country does not think SO 1t is
not even going to admit that the German
ownership OF some shares of stock in the
American Transatlantic Company will make
the company's vessels, opened to American
registry and sailing under the American flag
lawfully subject To seizure. This question
with all others related to it. will have con
sideration i'll the prize court, but it is likely to
be adjusted finally through diplomatic negu-
uat!ons or some form of arbitration
In the meantime, however, there is no
PROOF OF any such ownership even Of Il single
share OF stock. There is no pcrceptible OK
cusc for the British arrogance manifested in
the seizure OF the Hooking and Gcncsce and
their sister ships. The concessions made are
by the wrongdoer TO the wroneed They
ought TO be the prelude to complete with
drawal from an indeicnsiblc position and
ample reparation for the in Jury inflicted
When Greek meets Greek these days, what
they say about Sophia and Constantine is not
the sort Of news that is printed in the court
journal of Athens