The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-02-27
Refuses to Modify Its Stand on
Shipping.
GREY CITES CIVIL WAR CASES
Sir Edward In Reply to American
Note Says Il 10 impossible to Dis
tInguIsh Between German Army
and Civilians.

/
| Washington. Feb 19.-The text Q
the British governments reply to tn
American protest againrt British IL
reference with American commerce
was made public on Wednesday stimuli
taneously In Washington and London
The British government refuses Il
accept responsibility for the situation
OF American commercial and indus
trial interests, described as "pitiful'
In the protest OF the United States
1t says that the effect Of the wal
has been not to increase but practi
cally arrest the decline OF American
exports, (which was in progress
earlier in the year." and 1t adds
that Sthe cause OF the unfavorable
condition described by the Ameri'
can government ought In fairness to
be sought elsewhere than in the &C
tivities Of his majesty's naval forces"
In effect the contentious Of the
British note are:
l. Comparison OF figures shows that
a 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 1t was previously un-
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.
3. The detention Of neutral ships
with view to the capture of contra
band has not contributed nearly 80
much to the shortage of shipping as
has the destruction of neutral vessels
(25 to date) by German submarine
mines.
4. There is far more reason for pro-
test against the use OF mines than
against British exercise of the right
of selling contraband.
s. Changed conditions Of transpor-
tation justifies Great Britain in inter-
fering with commerce intended for
the enemy routed through neutral
port.
8, Difficulties in the way Of visit
and search in stormy weather require
British cruisers to order neutral sus-
poets to go to convenient place for
search, course followed by the United
States during the Civil war But this
right must be exercised with due re-
gard for neutral interests.
7. Diplomatic action should not be
taken In behalf OF neutral ships or
cargoes until their legal remedies
have been exhausted. and in order to
aid American citizens to obtain their
rights, the fact of detention and the
grounds therefor are notified to the
American ambassador.
8. Delays In connection with the
procedure instituted against neutral
shipping and cargoes have been mini
mixed.
8. In the peculiar circumstances Of
the present struggle where the forces
OF the enemy comprise so large q pro-
portion of the population and where
there Is 80 little evidence of ship
ments on private as distinguished
from government account. It is most
reasonable that the burden OF proof
should rest upon the shipper.
10. In the absence OF the certainty
Of German observance Of the rule the
British government feels great doubt
that belligerent should abstain from
interference with the foodstuffs in
tended for the civil population.
II. Moreover, experience shows
that the power of requisition will be
used in order to make sure that the
wants of the military are supplied.
However much goods may be imported
for civil use, II is by the military that
they will be consumed II military ext
gencies require It, especially now that
the German government have taken
control of all foodstuffs Of the coun-
try.
IL. In several cases the British |
government has waived its belliger-
emit right to treat as enemy vessels
ships Incorporated in Germany which
were subsidiary to and owned by |
American corporations.
10. The British government has en-. |
deavored to exercise It's belligerent
rights with every possible considera-
ton for the interest Of neutrals.