The Washington herald., 1915-08-04
Three British Notes.

Great Britain, made public by the State Depart
ment yesterday is necessary to convince any fair
minded American that Great Britain is not stand
ing on made ground in the controversy that has
arisen over her interference with commerce des
tined from port of ono neutral nation to the port
of another neutral nation. In the first OF these
three papers, in which clarity gives emphasis tc
profundity of logic, Sir Edward Grey cites prece.
dents established or recognized by the United
States in support OF some of his contentious
while TO the aid of others he brings the soundes
of argument, which, while it may not be wholly
convincing, will put our diplomats and ablest
authorities on international law on their mettle il
they 20 be successfully refuted. OF the two
other notes, is reply to the protest of this
government against the authority claimed for the
British prize courts, in which the position is taken
that :he rights and interests OF neutral nations
and individuals thoroughly safeguarded, but
that the way 10 redress in OF dispute is clear
ever TO the extent of international review Of the
courts decisions The third note is an answer to
complaint regarding the detention OF the
American steamship Nechcs and the diversion OF
her cargo. Practically the whole question in
vo!ved is covered in the first and most important
CT Great Britans communications.
All three of the notes address themselves di-
rccty to the contentious of this government in
detail and in the trendliest spirit, and con-
vincing Of Great Brtan's scrupulous care to avoid
interfering with American commerce one step
beyond what she considers imperative for her ma
tional preservation, while contending that ali of
her acts justified by international law us
age Throughout the documents vivid contrast
is presented 20 Gernany's evasion and indifference
10 our demands for redress for savage crime
committed against the American people.
Great Britain no longer hcsitates to proclaim
that her operations involving neutral commerce
are based upon the principles OF the blockade, and
these she nvokes and asks for them literal inter-
probation and construction for her justification.
And in support of this mild suggestion that some
elasticity may be developed in the application of
the blockade laws the government of the United
States is quoted having intimated its readiness
TO take into account the great changes which
have occurred in the conditions and means OF
naval warfare since the rules hitherto governing
legal blockade were formulated" and recognizing
that "thc form OF close blockade with its Gordon
OF ships in the immediate offing Of the blockadcd
ports is longer practicable in the face OF an
enemy possessing the means and opportunity
to make an effective defense by the use of sub
marines and aircraft" This must be regarded as
one OF the most telling points in any of the notes.
calling sharp attention to the vast difference
between Great Britain's attitude and that of Ger
many. Germany insists. that shall recognize
such a change in the conditions of naval war
fare will permit her to ruthessly murder neu-
trails and nonconlbatants, while Great Britain asks
only that our recognition OF such change will
in eyes justify the measures she has adopted
to prevent the passing of the commerce of her
enemies through neutral ports
+bo 9TH ob1
by citation in this remarkable series of notes,
Importance attaches to that which affirms that
the British blockade measures involving neutral
commerce conform to the spirit and principles
Of the essence of the rules of war" And in sup
port of this the course OF the United States
during the civil is reverted to. To overcome
conditions which threatened the effectiveness of
The Federal blockade, Sir Edward Grey reminds
Us, tho doctrine of continuous voyage was ap-
piled and enforced, under which goods destined
for the enemy territory intercepted before
they reached the neutral ports from which they
we're to be rc-exportcd." This civil war expcdi-
ent bears directly upon several points at issue
between Washington and London, and since this
government is not capable OF attempting to brush
aside page of the country's history as scrap
of paper it must have place in our reply
But it is not to be doubted that very large
number of high-mindcd people in this country
will view as above and beyond all legal argument
and citation OF authority and precedent what is
-cally appeal from Great Britain to cviliza-
ion and humanity in the third paragraph of the
principal note. In this paragraph Sir Edward
1rey while avoiding Won Jagow's blunderng con-
ession OF guilt in his plea OF retaliation
aot only upon the people OF the United States,
'ut OF the world, the meaning OF the battle Eng
and and her allies ighting-the battle OF the
humane, the civilized the moral, the enlightened,
and the free against the united froces Of a cu-
ivated brutality that has made killing dcvilish
cienoe and given 20 death new meaning more
errib!e than any reeking page OF history records
The humanitarian, to whom the cause of man.
lind IS sacred, the one who finds more in the
search OF mems souls than in the books OF legal
ore, will early catch the cresccndo in the note
rom across the seas. That it may not sound in
he councils OF government is not cause
o. rejoicing.