Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-02-25
Refuses to Modify Its Stand on
Shipping.
GREY CITES CIVIL WAR CASES
Sir Edward in Reply TO American
Note Says 1t Is Impossible to Dis
tIngush Between German Army
and Civilians.

Washington, Feb. 19.-The text of
the British governments reply to the
American protest against British in
reference with American commerce
was made public on Wednesday stimuli
taneously in Washington and London
The British government refuses to
accept responsibility for the situation
Of American commercial and indus
trial interests, described as "pitifuf
in the protest of the United States.
1t says that the effect of the war
has been not to increase but practi-
caIIy arrest the decline of American
exports, which was in progress
earlier in the year." and it adds
that the cause of the unfavorable
condition described by the Ameri-
can government ought in fairness to
be sought elsewhere than in the ac-
tivities Of his majesty's naval forces"
In effect the contentious Of the
British note are:
1. Comparison of figures shows that
substantial part of the European
trade of the United States was in fact
trade intended for the enemy coun-
tries going through neutral ports by
routes to which it was previously I'M
accustomed.
2. The serious shortage of shipping
and the consequential result of exces-
sive freights has not been caused by
Great Britain's interference with neu-
trail ships, seven only Of which are
awaiting adjudication in British prize
courts.
8. The detention of neutral ships
with a view to the capture of contra
band has not contributed nearly so
much to the shortage of shipping as
| has the destruction neutral vessels
(25 to date) by German submarine
mines.
A. There is far more reason for pro-
test against the use of mines than
against British exercise of the right
of Selling contraband.
5. Changed conditions of transpor-
tation justifies Great Britain in inter
fering with commerce intended for
| the enemy routed through a neutral
port.
6. Difficulties in the way of visit
and search in stormy weather require
| British cruisers to order neutral sus-
| poets to go to a convenient place for
search, a course followed by the United
States during the Civil war. But this
4 right must be exercised with due re-
gard for neutral interests.
7. Diplomatic action should not be
taken in behalf of neutral ships OF
cargoes until their legal remedies
have been exhausted, and in order to
aid American citizens to obtain theil
rights, the fact of detention and the
grounds therefor are notified to the
American ambassador.
g. Delays in connection with the
procedure instituted against neutral
shipping and cargoes have been mini
mized
9. In the peculiar circumstances o.
the present struggle where the forces
of the enemy comprise so large pro
portion of the population and where
there is so little evidence Of ship
ments on private as distinguished
| SONSIuunSuL dSSOu1Ns IL ID AhO0
reasonable that the burden of proc
should rest upon the shipper,
10. In the absence of the certaint!
of German observance of the rule the
British government feels great doub
that belligerent should abstain from
interference with the foodstuffs in
tended for the civil population.
II. Moreover, experience show
that the power of reQuisition will b.
used in order to make sure that thu
wants of the military are supplied
However much goods may be imported
for civil use, it is by the military tina
they will be consumed if military exi
gencies require it, especially now tina
the German government have takel
control of all foodstuffs of the cour
> try.
-. In several cases the British
, government has waived its beIligel
ent right to treat as enemy vessel
ships incorporated in Germany whic1
, were subsidiary to and owned b.
| American corporations.
10. The British government has er
! deavored to exercise its belligeren
rights with every possible considers
: ton for the interest of neutrals.
~,