New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-18
BRITISH INSIST ON RIGHT
TO STARVE CIVILIAN FOE
Continued from page |

jesty's government to intercept con-
traband trade with the enemy, OF their
consistency with the admitted right OF
a belligerent to intercept such trade
and also of the extent 10 which they
have endcayored 10 meet the repre-
sentations and complaints from time
20 time addressed to them on behalf
of the United States government
Toward the close of your note OF
the 2Sth of December, your excellency
described the situation produced by
the action of Great Britain as pitiful
one to the commercial interests of the
United States. and said that many Of
the great industries of the country
were suffering because their products
were denied long established markets
IN neutral European countries con-
tiguous 70 the nations at war.
All Nations Must Suffer.
1T is unfortunately true that in
these days, when trade and finance are
cosmopolitan, any war, particularly
war of any magnitude, must result
in a grievous dislocation OF commerce,
including that of the nations which
take no part in the war. Your eX-
eellency will realize that in this ire
mendous struggle, for the outbreak Of
which Great Britain is in no way re-
sponsible, it is impossible fOF the trade
of any country 10 escape all injury
and loss, but for such his majesty s
government are not to blame.
Il do not understand the paragraph
which ! have quoted from your ex-
cellency's note as referring TO these
indirect consequences OF the state of
war, but to the more proXimate and
direct effect Of our belligerent action
in dealing with neutral ships and car
goes on the high seas Such action
has been limited TO vessels on their
way to enemy ports ports IN neutral
countries adjacent to the theatre of
war, because il is only through such
ports that the enemy introduces the
supplies which he requires for carry
ing on the war"
Sir Edward points out that only
eight out of 773 ships sailing from the
United States for neutral European
countries have been placed in the
prize courts. and that only forty-tive
have been temporarily detained to en-
able particular consignments Of car
goes TO be discharged for the purpose
OF prize court proceedings"
The note does not 20 into detail as
to American ships detained on the high
sea, or taken to British ports for
search. The next paragraph analyses
the statistics Of exports from the
United States and makes the observa-
ton that "it is therefore clear that, if
cotton be excluded, the effect Of the
war has been not TO increase, but prac-
tically 10 arrest. the decline of Amer
lean exports which was in progress
earlier in the year; in fact, any de-
crease in American exports which is
attributed 20 the war is essentially
due 20 cotton"
Pointing out that Great Britain has
never declared cotton contraband or
interferred with its shipment, the note
then remarks that imports Of cotton 70
the United Kingdom fell as heavily as
those TO other countries, and the same
mo doubt was true Of France"
Due TO Other Causes.
"The general result" 1t continues.
"is 10 show convincingly that the naval
operations Of Great Britain are not the
cause Of any diminution in the volume
Of American exports, and that il the
commerce OF the United States is in
the unfavorable condition which YOUR
eXcellency describes, the cause ought
in fairness 10 be sought elsewhere
than in the activities Of his majesty's
naval forces"
The British communication contends
that even though trade between the
United States and the Allies has d.
minished from normal. the commerce
with neutral countries as compared