Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-23
And Now Comes Britain


. ROMPT disavowal by the State Depart
ment has met the statement Of the Brit
ISL Foreign Office that arrangements made
between American cotton shippers and agents
81 the London government were understood
10 be acceptable to the United States,' and
so to constitute it was to be inferred. some
sort OF grudging recognition of the much
debated orders i'm council.
OF course. there could be no such recog-
milton from the Washington administration
Of the legality or propriety of these orders.
Secretary Bryan makes ii clear that in the
negotiations that went on between represen-
atives Of American shippers and Of the adj
miralty. the strictly unofficial character of
the negotiations was definitely declared, and
must have been completely understood. His
statement to this effect is supported by that
OF Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British am
hassador. AT Washington
The United States already has made con-
siderable concessions. 1t has admitted that
the eXigencies Of modern naval warfare make
impossible the close blockade of enemy's
coast that essential OF legality under
international law, before submarines. float
ing mines and long-range coast defense guns
were in extensive use This concession OBJ
'ously demanded. but it represents.
nevertheless, Il new Interpretation Of the old
rule. Under it the British government with
out objection from this nation. may place
its blockadins squadron far away from the
rl,omy coast and seize neutral ships.
The United States will not admit Britain's
right TO declare and enforce what amounts
10 a blockade Of neutral coasts which is
exactly what the orders in council attempt to
do American vessels carrying cargoes of
noncontraband and consigned to ports in Hol-
land Denmark have been halted at sea
and taken into British roadways When
their cargoes have been appropriated by the
government. the owners have been compen-
stated. This is the arrangement that was al
legged to have been thought satisfactory to
Washington
1t cannot be satisfactory. If we are to
make our neutrality a matter of barter and
sale. it. becomes equally ridiculous and dis
honorable. So long are neutral. it is
the duty of the government to keep that neu-
traity real. That means rigid observance Of
our own laws and of the laws of nations, that
establish and regulate the rights of neutrals
and bcilgerents
Washington dispa ches have suggested that
recent statements from the administration
may affect the tone of the German reply to
the Presidents note the sinking of the
Lusitania and allied incidents. There is no
reason why this should be so, because the
statements just made mere rea ffrmations
o positions long before clearly announced
and insisted firmly. German doubt of the
sincerity and determination Of the American
attitude toward the orders in council need
never have existed If we are not ready TO
go 10 war with Britain over differences that
have not resulted in the loss of a single lfo
or, it would seem, of single dollar, that Is
none of Gormany's business.
1t is unfortunate that the controversy with
Germany and the controversy with England
should have become in any manner related
or confused. They separate and distinct.
IN neither will this nation attempt to
pull chestnuts out Of the fire for one bellig-
orent for the purpose Of harmng the other.
We shall pursue our own course guard our
cwn interests and protect our own rights in