The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-18
GREAT BRITIAN'S SECOND REPLY
TO AMERICAN NOTE OF PROTEST

in dealing with neutral ships and car
goes on the high seas. Such action
has been limited TO vessels on their
way 10 enemy ports in neutral coun-
tries adjacent to the theatre of " ar.
because ~ is only through such ports
that the enemy introduces the supplies
which he requires for carrying on the
war"
Sir Edward then points out that
only eight out OF 773 ships sailing from
the United states for neutral Euro
pean countries have been placed in
the prize courts, and thai only as have
been temporarily detained to enable
particular consignments of cargo to be
discharged for the purpose OF prize
court proceedings"
The note does not 20 into details as
70 American ships detained on the
high seas or taken TO aitish ports
Tor search. The next paragraph an.
alyzes the statistics OF exports from
the United States and makes the OBJ.
seryation that 1T Is therefore clear
mat mat II cotton be excluded. the eff
rect OF the war has been not TO in.
crease, but practically to arrest the
decline OF American exports which
was In progress earlier in the year
In fact. any decrease in American ex.
ports which Is attributed TO the war
Is essentially due TO cotton"
Also Hit by Cotton.
| Pointing out that Great Britain has
never declared cotton contraband or
lnterfered with its shipment, the note
then remarks that imports of cotton
TO the United Kingdom fell as heavily
as those TO other countries, and the
same no doubt was true OF France -
The general result" IL continues
is 10 show convincinrly that the
naval operations of Great Britain are
not the cause OF any diminution In
the volume OF American exports and
that IL the commerce OF the United
states Is In the unfavorable condition
which Your Excellency describes. the
elsewhere than In the activities OF
his Ma1esty's naval forces"
Moreover. the British communica,
tion contends that even though trade
between the United States and the
| allies has diminished from normal
the commerce with neutral countTies
as compared with previous years, has
been maintained and the Inference
may fairly be drawn" that a Sub
Istantial part Of this trade was in fact
,,nIen .S Ior the enemy countries go
Ing through neutral ports by routes "a
which 1t was previously unaccus
Taking up some Of the 'Tnconvent
ences TO which this great war Is ex
posing the commerce OF all neutral
countries" the note points out thai
undoubtedly the serious shortage IN
/ shipping available for ocean transport
] and the consequential result OF ex
/ cessiye freights." have had much 10
DO with the situation, but a de- al IA
! entered that Great Britaln's activity
has brought about this shortage. FOL
/ II r. added that only ten neutral YES
sells are awaiting adjudication IN
/ prize courts. Great Britain declares
/ that she. too. II suffering from ths
shortage Of shipping and a rise IN
| freights AS actually. n not more
/ Than other nations" and has taken
! every step consistent with belliger
I ent interests 10 Increase the tonnage
available for the transport OF sea
borne commerce"
Mines Responsible.
, The hope is expressed that the
I United states will realize that the de
] tention OF neutral ships by the allies
has not contributed nearly 90 much
, 20 the shortage Of shipping "as has
, the destruction Of neutral vessels by
/ submarine mines indlacriminatelJ
laid BY the enemy on tho high sea-
many miles from the coast. IN ths
track % merchant vessels"
! Discussing the general proposition
That belligerent ls entitled to cap
Z ture contrahand goods on their wa
% the enemy the British note traces
. the origin Of the right Of interrogation
ana speaks Of The new devices en-
/ sountercd from time 10 time for de
my. Here the doctrine % continuous
. voyarn. ae cnunciatcd during the Civf
I War DIV Secretary Seward. is quoted
~ length. and the question ~ ulti
mate destination argued On LEGAL de-
tail. To Justify the detention ~ rua
I pfCtod carFOca when passing between
u neutral countries. and taking then
into ports Tor examination. the cases
. ~ American practice during the span
. ish.Amerlcan War also are cited. and
The note says these preCcdruta arr
Inconsistent with me statement % M,
. American government made 10 fhi
. british ambaEHadOr a. Washington
on the Ith 81 November. which in
a'efs that search should BE- made on
The hirh seas "at tho time of ths
] visit" and that the conclusion u fh,
search should rect upon me evidence
Z found on tho chip under irvcrfiRafi0n
and not uron cirrumrfancea aacrr
I faIned from external sources
The foreign secretary rrIfarHffa fEHf
! OBJ. .r.rrarsd aIsr nj The efraurhira Hs.