The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-20
FORESHADOWS OTHER ACTS
OF REPRISAL BY ENGLAND
PURPOSE SHOWN TO MAKE
ALL FOOD FOR GERMANY
CONTRABAND.
In Answer TO American Note Sir
Edward Grey Denounces
German Methods.

LONDON. Feb. 10. 7.15 o. m.-Ths
British government announced to-day
that II had decided that the cargo OF
the American steamer WIlhelndna
should be held for the decision OF the
prize court
The announcement was made by sir
Edward Grey. the British foreign sec
retary. II seems TO make clear the
purpose OF Great Britain to declare
al foodstuffs for Germany contraband
as well as to foreshadow other re-
prisals. In his note Sir Edward Grey.
after reviewing the German methods
OF warfare and denouncing them as
absolute violations OF all information
al usages. says:
IF. therefore. His Majesty's govern
ment should hereafter feel constrained
TO declare foodstuffs absolute contra
band or TO take other measures for
interfering with German trade by way
OF reprisals, they confidently expect
that such action will not be challenged
on the part OF neutral States by ap-
peals 10 laws and usages OF war
whose validity rests on their forming
an integral part OF that system OF in
ternational doctrine, which. as a
whole. tho enemy frankly boasts the
Intention TO disregard, so long as such
neutral States cannot compel the Ger
man government to abandon methods
of warfare which have not in recent
history been regarded az having the
sanction OF either law OF humanity"
Great Britain's Reply.
Great Britain's reply to the Ameri-
can note on the Wilhelmina case.
which was handed to-day TO Walter
Hines Page. the American Rmbassa-
dor. follows:
The communication made by the
United States ambassador in his note
20 Sir Edward Grey OF the 16th in
stant, has been carefully considered
and the following observations are
offered in reply;
al the time when HIS Majesty's
government gave directions for the
seizure of the cargo OF the steamship
Wilhelmina as contraband. they had
before them the text OF a decree
made by the German federal council
on the 25th OF January, under article
40 OF which all grain aud -four i'm
ported into Germany after the 3lst
of January was declared deliverable
only to certain organizations under
direct government control OF TO muni-
bound for Hamburg, one OF the free
cities OF the German empire, the gov
eminent of which Is vested in the
municipality. This wes one OF the
reasons actuating His Majestys gov.
ernment In deciding TO bring the car.
go Of the Wilhelmina before prize
court.
Information has only now reached
them that by n subsequent decree
dated the 6th OF February, the above
provision in article 40 of the previous
decree was repealed. IL would appear
for the express purpose OF rendering
difficult the anticipated proceedings
against the Wilhelmina. The repeal
was not known 10 his majesty's gov.
ernment at the time OF the detention
OF the cargo. or indeed until now
How far the ostensible exception of
imported supplies from the general
government monopoly OF all grain and
flour set up by the German govern
ment may affect the question OF tho
contraband nature of the shipments
SEIZED is a matter which win most
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