New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-11


States.
81 have the honor 20 be, with the
highest consideration, your eHcei
lency's most obedient, humble servant cry.
may be. sufficiently disposes Of the
grievances set forth by the American
government and, after reciting the
various points, adds:
we can hardly believe that any
just-minded and unbiased person VIII
refuse 10 admit that these arguments
are a sufficient reply. They put very
strong case with great moderation
The Post" then goes on TO find fault
with the British governments use OF
its sea power. saying: "Sir Edward
Grey proves that almost everything mas
been allowed TO 20 into Germany, m
GLIDING vast quantities OF copper, as
demonstrated by his own figures. Inc
United States has no serious grievance,
but the soldiers and sailors who are
fghtin. and dying for England have
very good reason TO complain of the
policv Of his maJestys government,
and The TAXPAYERS VINO are paying Tor
this war. and the Allies VINO are fight
ing Germany with all their resources
have also good ground for complaint.
"Our ancient rule was to cOnilscatc
the enemv's goods i'm neutral ships.
That was good rule, and It had the
effect of weakening tne enemy ana
shortening war. In the present war we
have abandoned this rule and have
made so many relaXations IN our Sys-
TEN Of sea warfare that the enemy rs
nourished and comforted and strength.
1, fno F4f
drag on. and many brave Englshmen
nil be killed because the government
has adhered to the modern conception
that property is more sacred than life
Would Starve Germany.
"The Post" argues that Great Brit
ain should have utilized her sea powo
to stop all German overseas supplies,
even foodstuTs, alC so starved her ou-,
and concludes:
what has Germany done that We
should be % tender of her trade and
interests On the sea she has sunk
our merchantmen ta,ng contrary to
all law. On land she has entirely de-
stroved or appropriated the trade and
commerce and material wealth OF our
Allies wherever she has had the power.
While Wa had mctricuiOusly and talla-
ciously distinguished between food for
the army and food for the other sub
iects Of the enemy. Germany has re-
QUESTIONED and appropriated the bread
and cattle Of civilians Of Poland, Bel
gium and the North of France. While
we have been allowing cotton and other
raw materia, Of German industries to
pass into Germany. the Germans nave
been burning Belgian and French lac
tories and taking their stock and raw
material away into GERMANY h. train
loads or destroying them on the spot.
Germany violates even the severeSt
codes Of warfare England relave tie
lust and appropriate code Of British
practice even in The face OF these viola
tions.
THE United States government has
not protested against the violation Of
Belgian neutrality; it has not protested
inst the bombardment of unde-
ferded towns; ii has not protes
against things even more serious than
these. but IL has protested against our
modest and Intellectual attempt TO use
our great navy for the stoppage Of cop
PC and other contraband of war obyl-
ously destined for the enemy
Attitude Demanded BY Facts.
"While Sir Edward Grey's reply does
not dispute the general principles Of
the American note" says THE Times,
at Joins issue on the way in which that
document seeks 20 apply them. That
is the attitude which the facts demand
and on which we foresaw the British
case would be rested. We neither
wish nor intend to interfere with bona
/ fde trade between the United States
and other neutrals, but We iIrmly VIM
dictate our right 10 interfere with trade
+ in contraband destined for the enemy's
country.
THE spirit OF the dispatch is we'll
shown by its concluding words. The
ministers are ready 10 explain any case
of detention and prepared to enter into
any arrangement 20 prevent mistakes
and TO facilitate reparatiOn. nut they
reserve. as they were bound 20 reserve.
all those rights which are vital to our
defence. We believe that tins position
will be understood and appreciated in
the United States"
THE Daily Telegraph" says: "What
must be aimed at, and what can surely
be achieved, is a mutual recognition
/ Of difficulties and a genuine under
I standing on both sides TO limit the
area OF disagreement as much as posi-
HE What will undoubtedly happen is
that a number Of claims for compen-
sation. founded upon the alleged un-
warrantabe interference with neutral
cargoes. will be set up and will have
TO be decided at the end Of the war.
There need be. and there will be. moth
+ ing more than that so long as the
+ United States government and our own
deal with the matter in the temper
which at present is common to them