South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-05
POWERS ARE NOT
NOTIFIED Of ACT
England'S Failure to Report
Blockade Has Produced New
Problem Affecting American
Shipments.

WASHINGTON. March THE fact
that Great Britain has not notified
I the powers that she has blockaded
the ports Of Germany has produced
new. different and interesting prob
lem affecting American shipments
/ out OF Germany
Authorities Thursday pointed out
that Great Britain's formal statement
. that she would stop vessels going into
or leaving German ports, could not
| legally apply to cargoes bought in
Eremen for instance. paid for by
Americans and only by Americans
and leaving that port for the United
States on any vessel engaged in neu-
| tra1 trade. The authorities declare
that such outward shipments from
/ Germany could not possibly be ''sus-
! pected' Of carrying contraband or
i having an enemy destination" and
that such ships and cargOes would
come closely within the rights Of
| American commerce as indicated by
Tres't Wilson in this governments
note OF December last. 20 Sir Edward
/ Grey.
Problem is Discussed.
This new problem was discussed at
the state department Thursday in
credited news from Great Britain
that she reserves to herself the right
10 get goods from Germany notwith-
standing her declaration that she will
not permit commerce with German
ports II was calmly stated, accord
ing TO the dispatches from London,
that dyestuffs which are very much
desired in Great Britain. would be
permitted TO be brought from Ger
many because they were wanted "by
the war offices, the admiralty and
civil industry.
The point was made Thursday in
parliament that Great Britain could
not well do that and prevent the
United States from doing the same
thing. Parliament evaded the dis
cussion Of the point.
Some of the officials here think
that the proposed discrimination OF
Great Britain in favor of British in
terests would nullify 10 a large ex-
tent her proposed blockade of Ger
man ports even if il was formally
proclaimed to all the nations.
German Reply Given Out.
The text of the German reply to
the United States concerning the war
zones was given out Thursday by the
+ state department. 1t was Identical
with the tect as published Thursday
morning and therefore did not give
the officials any new suggestions for
discussion.
The administration is still waiting
for some detailed explanation from
the British foreign office as to how
it proposes TO put itself is retalia-
tory measures into execution. Am
bassadOr Page cabled the safe de-
partment Thursday that there was
TO be executed very shortly British
order in council which would give
in detail the information which Pres't
Wilson thinks is necessary. before any
declaration Of policy on this side of
the water shall be made. IL Is eN-
pected that the order in council will
name the ports which are to be
blockaded and give sailing instruc-
lions for vessels.
The presidents phrase in discuss
ing the subject was mo one nation
can change the rules Of war simply
by changing the methods of war"
II is thought by most of the Off
Gals, however, that long before the
diplomatic discussion is over some
concrete case Will arise by the seiZ =
ure Of an American vessel and cargo
or some other neutral vessel with au
American cargo on its way to a Ger
man port. This will make a case
which the British foreign Office must
explain on its merits Such case,
officials think, would be the only real
test of what the United States COM
merce is to expect, or what il Is en-
titled TO, whatever may be the terms
OF the forthcoming British order in