Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-02

The German declaration substitutes In
discriminate destruction for regulated
capture. Germany is adopting those
methods against peaceful traders and
the noncombatant crows, with the
avowcd object OF preventing commodi-
ties of all kinds, Including food for the
civilian population, from reaching or
leaving the British Isles OF Northern
France,
Her opponents are. therefore, driven
TO frame retaliatory measures. in order.
In their turn. to prevent commodities
Of any kind from reaching or leaving
Germany.
These measures will however, he
enforced by the British and French
governments without risks to neutral
ships or to neutral or noncombatant
lie. ana In strict observance OF the
dictates OF humanity. The British and
French governments Will. therefore.
hold themselves free to detain and
takc into port ships carrying goods
Of presumed enemy destination. owner
ship or origin. j. Is not intended to
conhscatc such vessels or Cargocs un-
less they would otherwise be liable to
condemnation. The treatment OF YES
sells which sailed this date Will not
be affected.
That is our reply"
READING FREQIENTLY
INTERRUPTED WITH CHEERS
Tho reading OF the statement was
interrupted frequently with loud che ers
Admiral Lord Charles Bercsford In
NItcd the Premier to state whether
Germans who engaged in submarine
attacks or raids on unfortiiied towns
ana were captured would hn tried for
murder MIR. Asquith declined to give
any dennite assurance. but said:
No doubt the government will take
into serious consideration what is the
Status under international Inv Of per-
sons engaged In this campaign"
Referring again 10 the submarine
warfare, the Premier said:
Il may say that the suggestion which
has been put forth from German quar-
tors that We have rejected certain pro-
posals or suggestions made to two
powers by tho United States is untrue
All we nave stated to the United States
so far is that we have taken this
matter into careful consideration. I'm
consultation with our allies
II shall have to use some very plain
language. II did not come upon us as
II surprise that war has been carried
on by Germany with systematic viola
tion OF all the conventions and rcgu-
lat!ons under which, by international
agreement, II WAS thought to mitigate
warfare. She now has taken further
step by organizing an undersen cam
paisn OF piracy and piliage.
Can we-here / address myself to
neutrals-sit quiet as though we were
st!ll under tho protection OF the rules
OF civilized warfare? / think we can
not"
RIDICULES GERMAN
THEORY Of BLOCK AIDE
Mr.. Asquith ridiculed what he called
the German theory OF blockade. and
asked
where is the German Aeet?"
1T has been seen on the sen only
twice since the war hcgnn," he said.
and the object in both cases was muir
der aud wholesale destruction OF prop
crty and undcfendcd towns.
The plain truth is that the German
feet is not blockading. cannot blockade.
and never VIII blockade the English
shore the Premier continued
THE measures TO be adopted by
France and Great Britain. however. VIII
not involve RISKS 10 neutral vessels or
neutral lives. The allies will hold
themselves free 10 capture goods OF
presumed enemy origin or destination.
There is no form of economic pressure
whereto We do not consider ourselves
entitled to resort
W neutrals suffer inconvenience tho
allies VIII regret II. but neutrals should
remember that this phase OF the war
WAS not initiated by us. We do not
propose 10 assassinate their scamcn or
destroy their ships"
T0UEIGN MINISTER'S
CALI. on SECRETARY GREY
'.ONDoN, March t0:5c r. M)-
The American. Italian and Russian am
hassadors and the Swedish and Danish
minleters called on SIr Edward Gray