The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1915-07-01
BRITAIN IGNORES
PRINCIPAL ISSUE
England Again Asserts Right
to Hold Up Sea Trade
THE MAIN POINT is AVOIDED
Declares v. S. Complaints Without
Just Grounds in Memorandum-No
Attempt to Answer March
Note Protesting Seizures.

Washington, ID. C.-Great Britain.
IN memorandum transmitted to the
United States and made public here
Ind in London recites at length its
efforts to minimize inconvenience tc
neutral commerce resulting from the
Order in Council against trade with
Germany, Austria and Turkey, and
asserts that American citizens have
no just grounds for complaint on &C.
count of the treatment accorded their
cargoes.
No attempt is made to answer the
principles asserted in the American
note of March l, protesting against
the Order in Council and insisting
upon the right of neutrals to carry
on legitimate commerce with each
other and to trade in non-contraband
with civilians in belligerent coun-
tries. In transmitting the memoran-
dunn Ambassador Page said it was
merely an explanation of concrete
cases and the regulation under which
they are dealt with"
Another note to Great Britain is be-
ing prepared at the State Department
negotiations with Germany have been
ended
While this communication probably
will make reference to the latest
memorandum, it is understood that
the manner of enforcing the order in
council will not be treated as rele-
want to the question at issue-wheth-
er there is any warrant in interna-
tional law for the powers that Great
Britain and her allies have assumed
over the commerce of the world
In its memorandum the British For
eign Office emphasizes the various
special concessions made in favor of
United States citizens" in setting
forth that all British officials have
acted in every case with the utmost
dispatch consistent with the object
in view, and of showing in every case
such consideration for neutrals as
might be compatible with the object,
namely, to prevent vessels from car
rying goods for, or coming from, the
enemy's territory"
Arrangements for buying American
cotton detained and for permitting
the passage OF goods bought in Ger
many by Americans before the date
of the order in council are outlined
and the promise made that considera-
ton will be given to special cases of
this kind in the future
According to a summary of ships
detained, there are now 81 vessels
which cleared from the United States
now held in ports of the United King
dom. OF these, eight are said to be
unloading cotton which Great Britain
has agreed to purchase, seven will be
allowed to depart as soon as items OF
their cargo placed in a prize court
have been discharged, and the other
12-three of them American ships
are undergoing Investigations
His Majestys government" the
memorandum concluded, ARE earnest
ly DESTROYS of removing all causes of
unavoidable delay in dealing with
American cargoes and vessels which
may be detained, and any specific in
quiries or representations which
may be made by the United States
government in regard to particular
cases will always receive the most
careful consideration, and all the in
formation which can be afforded with
out prejudice to prize court proceed
ing will be readily communicated
but they can scarcely admit that on
the basis of actual facts any sub
stantial grievance on the part of the
American citizens is justified or can
be sustained. and they, therefore. con
fidently appeal to the opinion OF the
United States government as enlight-
ened by this memorandum"