Evening star., 1915-02-16
REPLYOF BRITAIN
IN WILSON'S HANDS
Response to U. S. Note Con-
corning Interference With
American Commerce.
DENIES INTERRUPTION
OF LEGITIMATE TRADE
Alleges Necessity for Added Precau-
tions on Part of Allies-Legal
Questions Discussed.

The full text of Great Britain's sup
Elementary reply to the American not'
Of December IS, concerning 1nterrer'
cncee with United States commerce
was laid before President Wilson to-
day The long document, comprising
some 1000 words. was translated IRON
diplomatic code after several days o
work in the State Department ane
taken to the White House by Secretar!
Bryan. Arrangements for its publica
ton have not been completed. pending
arrangements between Washington ane
London to give out the text stimuli
tsneously
IT was believed here today that the
american government might seek ar
understanding on the question OF food
stuffs with both Germany and Grea,
Britain. with the hope that it might
avert the submarine dangers to neutral
ships.
Necessity for Caution.
Besides giving statistics on neutral
commerce and entering d general de-
NAL that there had been any un-
warranted interference with legit-
innate shipments, the new note con-
tains statement from Great Brit
ain that the. recent government de
cree taking over the flour and grain
supply in Germany required added pre-
cautions on the part of the allies that
conditional contraband might not be
permitted to reach the armed forces
of the enemy.
The document constitutes further
statement of the British government
the legal questions involved
Administration officials today awaited
with the keenest interest an indication
of Great Britain's attitude toward Ger
many's proposal, made through the
United States, to drop her plan to de-
stroy enemy merchant ships by a sub
marine and sea mine campaign in
British waters if Great Britain would
permit food cargoes to pass unmo-
Tested to the German civilian popula-
ton
Germany's announced purpose is to
put her sea war zone proclamation into
effect February Is. That she would re-
Cede from her position If England
would meet her demands in regard to
food shipments was announced by the
German ambassador here, Count Won
Befnstorff. in a note to the American
State Department, which imrne ediateiy
transmitted the proposal to London <
Germany's proposition was sent al
most simultaneously with a telegram
from the State Department to the Brit
tsh government submitting evidence by
owners of the American steamer VIII
now held for a British prize court. is
destined for German non-comb mbatants.
and suggesting that it be permitted to
20 forward
Develops New Phase.
The situation, already complicated,
developed a new phase with the an
nouncement yesterday IN the house of
commons by Winston Spencer Churchill,
a Of he BRIT I'D haf
Great Britain is considering even more
stringent measures to prevent Ger
many from receiving food supplies from
other countries.
From the German point of view, the
Wilhelmina constitutes a test case on
which revoives the entire question of feed
ing Germany. The German ambassador
.Iere in a recent note to the American
government pointed out that Germany had
modified its decree so that imported food
stuffs would not be taken over by the
government. and suggesting that Ameri-
can organization or consular officers be
appointed to supervise the distribution of
the imported foodstuffs, a guarantee
that none Of the American shipments
would reach the armed forces of Germa ny.
Serious Situation for q. S. Commerce
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British am
ba ssador. discussed the situation with
State Department officials. On all sides
II is admitted here that the Developments
of the last few days present most seri-
situation for American commerce. Ad-
ministration officials think that even
though assurances are given eventu-
ally by Germany that neutral ships will
not be attacked, the effect of the war zone
proclamation will be TO intimidate Ameri-
shippers and reduce American ex-
ports
That the next step by the United
States may be a pronounced statement
TO Great Britain on the subject of con-
ditional contraband was indicated at
the State Department. The America n
government in its first note argued
strongly for unrestricted shipment of
conditional contraband when destined
to non-com mbafants. The British pre-
1iminary reply did not oppose this
view, but said unconditional ac-
ceptance could not be given on account
of Germany's alleged inhunlan prac-
tices.
Prove Right of Exemption.
In connection with the latest repre-.
sentations to. London regarding the
Whhelmira. officials said today that at
torneys for the owners of the Wilhel.
mina's cargo established to the salts
faction of the State Department RI.
fact that it is not intended for the
German army or the German govern
menr. which would except ii from
seizure under the declaration of Lon
don II was pointed out that the rec
ord also discioses the fact that the
cargo was dispatched before the Brit.
lsh government issued its official notice
that food supplies for Germany wouI6
be regarded as contra band
Great Britain notified the United
States last evening. through the Brit
ish embassy here, that subjects of he,
enemies. whether crew or passenger,
of vessels. entering the principal Rri1
ish colonial ports will be liable in IN.
f.rfnr q .ra a <I1.a..