New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
BRITISH TRTCKERY Barred,
SAYS BETHMANNHOLLWEG
Appeals in Behalf of Humanity" Have Lost lheir
Force. German Chancellor Asscrs-Greater Control
of Shipping Wanted than in Case OF Blockade.

Berlin (via Londou). Jan. 25.--In
the future no one will be deceived by
Englaud's "magnanimous appeals" IN
the name of civilization and humanity,
said DR.. Theobald Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, the German Imperial Chancellor,
after reviewing the methods of warfare
which he said had been adopted by
Great Britain and her Allies.
The Chsncellor's statement was made
20 a correspondent at the German army
fell headquarters in town IN North
EN- France The Chancellor and the
Foreign Minister. Gottlieb Won Jagow,
were seated in a villa which serves as
the Office and dwelling for themselves
and for the members of the diplomatic
suite accompanying Emperor william
aheld.
The correspondent sought 10 obtain
the views Of the Chancellor and the
Foreign Minister on Anglo-American
relations, with particular reference to
British interference with American
shipping. No official information had
been received concerning the contents
Of the British reply TO the American
note. so that they we're unwilling TO
discuss the British statement IN detail.
One section Of the note, as gwen IN
newspaper dispatches, made partcu-
lar impression. however. on the Chan-
cellor. II was the paragraph IN which
Great Britain indicated that she had
been acting on the principle that food
stufTs we're conditional contraband and
that England had not interfered with
shipments Of foodstufTs not intended
for the armed forces Of an enemy or
for a hostile government
No United States Food in Germany.
In this connection the Chancellor
pointed out that no shipments OF grain
or other provisions had reached Ger
many from America during the war.
The Chancellor then made the follow
ing statement:
II shall not comment on the British
note of January z. as far as facts ana
questions concerning trade are con
cerncd Sir Edward Grey, however.
considered il appropriate 20 add two
statements intended TO carry weight
far beyond the scope OF this particular
interchange Of notes. ! mean the para
graph wherein ne speaks Of leaving
open the question Of permitting snip,
ments OF food supplies not INTENDED
for the enemy's armies or government
and his slurs upon US stating That we
had abandoned the rules OF CIVILIZATION
and humanity.
Tt should not be forgotten that in
this war England set out 70 stsrye over
100000 people; directly, by cutting
Off their food. indirectly. by closing
the arteries of their commerce. In at
tempting this she did not refrain from
DESTROYING a considerable part OF the
trade Of neutral nations. Now. II IS
bocinning 10 dawn on Great Britain
that she cannot force US TO submission
by these methods.
"Sir Edward Grey inserted the SEN
fences i'm question IN order that the
rcplv might stand as a document when
would show England's magnanlmnty
which actually never existed. Sir Id
ward Grey thus attempts TO mould from
this note a precedent wherein England
NAV some day fall back, when she may
have ceased 10 hold the whip hand or
control Of the maritime avenues OF
supply. II will be well then TO- re
member with what brutal means Eng
land tried to throttle Us.
Worse Than a Blockade.
"The nation which boasts the most
powerful fleet and the strctest sd-
herence TO international agreements
demands a greater control OF neutral
shipping than 1T would be allowed 10
command if it had declared an effective
blockade. which, according. TO Inc
Hague rulings, it should do, but whlch
il cannot do because IT would De pow
orless 10 uphold such 4 blockade. This
Is rather remarkable for d nation that
vents moral Indignation about US so
frequently for the purpose of creating
anti German sentiment abroad and con-
solidating public sentiment at home.
But IL is even more extraordinary how
Sir Edward Grey this time oyerdraws
his morality account by calling atten-
ton 10 what evil things we might do
in the future.
81 rather admire this facility, which
frequently has enabled the British For
eign Office to turn a defeat ashore or