Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-04
Displeasure over Allies Move
Unconcealed in Department
Circles in United States-Is
More Serious Than Blockade.
PROMPT REPLY PROBABLE
England Is Regarded AS Hav-
ing Raised the Most Complex
Question of the War-Called
an Unprecedented and Novel
Step.

Washington. March ALI commercial
Intercourse by sea between Germany and
the outside world was to-day declared
prohibited by Great Britain and France
Identical notes presented by the French
and British ambassadors here informed
the United States government of this
drastic step by the allies in reply to
Germany's wal zone proclamation.
If this policy be enforced it will no
longer be possible to ship cotton. manu-
featured articles and commodities
hitherto of II non-contraband character
from tho United States to Germany,
directly or indirectly. and from the latter
country the supply of dyestuffs and other
merchandise for consumption in this
country will be cut off.
The impression was general in official
quarters tonight that a strong protest
would 70 made gains the action OF the
allies. which was regarded as an UNI
precedented and novel step. Officials
pointed out that in the reprisals which
the belligerenrs were making toward
each other there was a singular forget
fulness of the fact that whatever might
be the violation of internationa custom
"D iloSF tbuItllbS AI War, ms
could not affect the status OF internal
tonal rules as between the United States
and countries with which she was at
peace.
Assurances given by Great Britain that
to-day's note was not a reply to the re-
cent proposals Of the United states for an
adjustment of the entire situation whicn
led to the retaliatory measures. CAV.
| prnIin1 fnr h1,,., ,y,+ IA
taken might be only OF a temporary char
acter. In this connection, the state de-
p%artment issued the following statement:
THE British ambassador has presented
the following instructions from his gov
eminent:
"'When presenting Joint Anglo-Saxon
communication you should inform United
States government that communication
received from them through United
States ambassador in London respecting
a possible limitation of use of submarines
and mines and an arrangement for sup
plying food to Germany is being taken
into careful consideration by His Ma
iesty's government in consultation with
their allies
The text of the British note, which was
the same as the statement in the House
VI commons ~ l IfllItI AS'Iultu, was
given out at the state department with
the announcements that the French not
was practically identical.
Copies of the notes were immedfatc-
~ sent by Secretary Bryan to Presi-
dent Wilson. State department Off
cials admitted that one of the most
complex problems of the war had
arisen. officials Were unanimous in
their opinion that the notification couId
not be called a blockade" although II
had virtually the effect OF the same
1t was noted generally that the com
munication did not use the word block
ade and at the French and British en-
hassies here there was an avoidance
of the same word. The notes leav.
much therefore to be explained.
1t was regarded as practically GER.
tain that the United States would repl,
promptly with an inquiry as to how
the step was to he carried into prac.
tice. together with a protest agains,
the announcement that be,
tween the German empire and neutra
countries hereafter would be Interrupt.
ed by the allies.
Officials and diplomats immediatel
We're curious on reading the text tc
know what would be the dlsposittor
of carEoes hitherto not listed an con
traband. such as cotton, which II des.
tined to Germany the allied fleets pro,
pose to take into British or French
ports. An intiInation was conveyed IN
British quarters that the allies intend
ed to buy outright all such cargoes
but such a promise would not affec
the determination of the United state,
to insist on Its right to send non
conraband articles to Germany wher
the question is argued In further dip
lomatic correspondence.
Just when the United States govern
ment will act on the latest note is de
pendent to some extent on when the re
plies are received from the allies an,
Germany to the informal communicated
looking to an abolition of submarine war
fare on merchant ships and the ship
, ment or foodstuffs to the civilian popu
, lation of belligerents. Germany's an
swer is said to be on Its way and off
, Gals expect that it will be practical!
American proposals.
: From Great Britain not a word ba,
come In several days, until to-day
1 oedteileHt tnat tne matter WAS uUue
o consideration this coming with the an
nouncement OF retaliatory measures
created a feeling of hope among som
officials that an understanding might We
be reached on the vexed questions.
In other quarters. however, there wa
n disposition to regard the American in
formal communication as likely to ia
( of accomplishing ANYTHING beyond "A pos
e sfble amelioration of conditions as I
mines in the open seas,
a Displeasure over tho latest development
was unconcealed in state department cir
cles, where the stopping of t
n land from Germany was viewed as niue
II more serious than a blockade, since
lnterfered also with cargoes presumed [
be bound to a belliRerent while in trans
to a neutral country. Whereas the doc
J. trine OF continuous voyage had previousl
i been invoked In the present war By Gref
. Britain to sustain her right to detail
csrgoes at any stage in their journey
proved 10 be destined to q belligerent SUE
10 presumption Ia understood now to II
II | Clnde nil articles or n1~ercbnn1ls such :