Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-04
British Policy Upheld as to Law and
Princip!es-Announ Intention Of
Continuance Of Present Policy !" Re-
gard to Neutral shippins-7Ioekade
Must Be Effective to Gain Recognition.

Great Britains reply was made pub
lice here tonight and in London sinful
taneously. With the note was made
public also correspondence over the
American steamer Neches, seized by
the British while enroute from Rotter-
dam to the United States with goods
of German origin.
New Application Of Law Required.
Changed conditions of warfare. the
British note contends require a new
application Of the principles of inter-
national law. The advent OF the sub
marine. the airship and alleged atroci-
ties by Germans in Belgium are cited
as justification for the exercise OF ex-
IRENE measures. The blockade Is JUS
titled on the contention that the uni
versally recognized fundamental prin-
ciple of a blockade is that belligerent
is entitled to cut off "by effective
means the sea- borne commerce OF his
enemy"
The note reiterates that Great Brit
ain will continue to apply the orders
complained Of, altho not without every
effort to avoid embarrassment to neu-
trails. and observes that the American
statistics show that any loss in trade
with Germany and Austria has been
more than overbalanced by the IN
crease of other Industrial activities due
to the war.
In the general reply to the American
representations against the orders IN
council Sir Edward Grey. the foreign
minister. expresses the hope that he
may be able to convince the Washing
ton administration that the measures
we have announced are not only rea-
sonable and necessary in themselves
but constitute no more than an adapta-
ton of the old principles of blockade
to the peculiar circumstances win
which we are confronted"
Accuses Germans Of Violations.
81 need scarcely dwell" wrote Sir
Edward, ION the obligations incumbent
upon the allies to take every step In
their. power to overcome their common
enemy in view Of the shocking viola
ton Of the recognized rules and prin-
ciples OF civilized warfare of which he
has been guilty during the present
struggle
Sir Edward then refers to atrocities
in Belgium, poisoning of wells TN Ger
man Southwest Africa. use OF poison-
OTIS gases against the allied troops In
Flanders and finally the sinking of the
Lusitania, to show how indispensable
it is that we should leave unused no
Unsuitable method OF defending our
selves"
Coming to the question Of the allied
blockade Of neutral ports the note con-
tinues:
Blockade Must Be Effective.
'In the various notes / have receiv-
ed from your excellency. the right OF
~, nf
the enemy ports is admitted. right
which has obviously no value save In
Solar as 1t gives power to belligerent
to cut off the sea-borne exports ana
imports OF his enemy The contention
which understand the United States
now puts forward Is that if belliger-
ent is so circumstanced that mis- com :
merce can pass thru adjacent neutral
ports as easily as thru ports In his own
territory. his opponent has no right
to interfere and must restrict his meas
ures of blockade in such manner as
to leave such avenues OF. commerce
still open to his adversary. This Is
contention which his majesty's govern
ment feel unable ITO accept and which
seems unsustainable either In point OF
law or upon principles Of international
equity.
sThey are unable to admit that
Ebelligerent violates any fundam entail
principie Of international law by APP
plying a blockade In such way as
to cut off the enemy's commerce with
foreign countries thru neutral ports. II
the circumstances render such an ap-
plication of the principles of blockade
the ony means Of making 1t effective
The United States intimates its readi-
ness ITO take into account the great
changes I'M the conditions and means
of naval warfare since the rules hither-
to governing legal blockade were form
ulated,' and recognizes that the form
Of close blockade with its Gordon Of
| ships III the !!arn ediate offing of block
AIDED ports is no longer practicable In
the face of an enemy possessing means
and opportunity to make an effective
| defense by the use OF submarines
mines and aircraft
''The only question then, which car
arise in regard to measures of blockade
upon these extended lines is, whether
to use your excellency's words, they
I! conform to the spirit and principles Of
| the essence of the rules of war;, ant
| We shall be content to apply this tes
to the action which we have taken in.
SOLAR as 1t has necessitated interior.
ence with neutral commerce"
Sir Edward Grey refers to thu
American civil war blockade of 800
miles Of coast with a small number o
vessels, and recalls how the Unitet
States finally took recourse to blockad
ing neighboring neutral territory w.icl
i afforded convenient centers from wiiicl
contraband could be introduced int
confederate territory.
Il He states that the difficulties which
caused the United States to take thi
course now confront the allies toda.
He says the severity OF hlcckadin
measures has been tempered by no