Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-16
Unwilling to Compromise With
Germany in Matter of Ma
rine Warfare.
HOLDS THE QUlD PRO QUO
is WHOLLY INADEQUATE
Views of British and French Press
on Order in Council Establish
ing Virtual Blockade.

LONDON, March 1s.--The British for
eign office delivered yesterday to Ambas-
| sador Page its reply to the American note
proposing to Great Britain and Germany
the withdrawal Of the German submarine
blockade provided England would permit
food to reach German civilians. Great
Britains reply is an absolute refusal
| The foreign Office also delivered to the
amba ssador Great Britain's reply to the
American note inauiring for further IN
formation in regard to the measures to
| be taken by the allied powers to cut Off
trade to and from Germany. The reply
to this note is based largely upon the
order in council which was issued yes
terday.
Reasons for Refusal.
Great Britain's refusal to accept the
American proposals to this country and
Germany is due to the reasons outlined
several days ago
There was strong feeling at the
British foreign office that the "quid
pro quo" put forward in the American
note that Great Britain permit 1000
stuffs to enter Germany in return for
Germany's abandonment of her sub
marine warfare and her policy of min
3
enough. Authoritative spokesman of
the British view asked what guaran-
tee there was that Germany would
keep her agreement. It was asserted by
them that Germany had violated SO
many compacts and conventions that
British statesmen were disinclined to
trust her unsupported word.
British Press Comment.
Most Of the morning newspapers
comment approving of the order in
council putting into effect Great Brit
aims scheme of reprisa1s against Ger
man commerce. They express regret
at the inconvenience to which neutral
countries will be put by the order, and
ask the neutrals to recognize that
Great Britain desires to deal with them
as mildly as the circumstances will
permit.
The order announces in effect,
though not In name, a stringent block
ade," says the Times. I'VE must ex
pect criticisms or protests from neu-
trails, but we have the right to ask
them what they would have. done in
similar circumstances and with issues
Of the gravity and magnitude of ours
at stake"
Thinks It Spells Trouble.
The Morning Post is not quite sure
that it understands the order and is
certain that lawyers will find it a meaty
bone of contention, because 1t may
mean so many things. After critics.
ing the order in detail, the Morning
Post says:
This is neither a blockade nor con-
fiscation. We would almost prefer the
| judicial niceties we know than these
new and more subtle and deceptive
juridical niceties. which were devised
less to injure the enemy than to de-
ceive this country that the government
has devised a middle course"
Fair Treatment for NeutraIs.
PARIS, March 16.-The text of the
decree defining the measures decided
upon by the British and French govern
ments as reprisals against German
commerce already announced from Lon
don is published in the Official Ga
zette. The text is preceded by a re-
port to President Poincare signed by
Foreign Minister Delca sse, Minister of
Finance Ribot. Minister of War Mile
rand and Minister of Marine Augag-
neur.
This supplementary statement de-
clares that since Germany has pro-
claimed the seas around England and
France war zone, the allies have a
chandise to or from Germany. Never
theless.' the report says. the allied
governments have no intention OF tol-
lowing their enemy in his cruel and
barbarous methods. and the measures to
which they have been obliged to have
recourse do not involve any risk for
neutral ships or for the lives of neu-
trails or non-combatants.
They will be applied in strict con-
Torrance With the dictates of hu-
mainly"
Expects q. S. to Acquiesce.
The Temps in an editorial today con-
trasts Germany's law of the sea as
applied to the American ship William
P Frye and the British and French
treatment of American ships thus far,
and adds, with reference to the re-
taliatory measures about to be under
taken by the allies against Germany:
I'VE await in all security the recep-
ton by the United States of our decla-
rattons relative to the application of
the maritime regulations decided upon
| by France and Great Britain and OF
| the rules under which they will be put
u