Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-18

, doubt whether il should be regarded
az an established principle OF intnr.
national law
QUOTES PRINCE BIS,I>RC,.,S
ANSWER, MADE N tS1i
S'F Edward quotes Prince Bismarck's
answer 10 the kicl chamber ~ can
.n'i,e IN 1914 IN connection with the
French Chinese War.
The measure in uu.stion..
bismarck is quoted as SAYING has fo,.
rs OBJECT the shortening of the wa- h,.
increasing the difficulties of the enc,nv
""" ~ a JustIi!abic step In war If i'm,
ships" "'' "'"'' al
me British note here remarks:
Ills Ma jcsiy's goyernncr, =, ma.
posed 10 think that the same Wow is
sun maintained by the German rov
"'""ieht. Another circumstance which
Is now coming to light is That an eloho.
~ machinery has been organized by
me enemy FOR supply of roodstufrs ia,
VIC use OF the German army from over
seas Under these circumstances i,
would be absurd to give any definite
piedRc mat in cases where the sunnlies
can Ge proved TO he for the use of mo
enemy forces they should be given
complete immunity by the simple cx.
Pedlent OF disDatchins them to an agent
in neutral port
me reason for drawing a distinction
between foo!atufis Intended for the
clNil population and those for the ar,DeJ
FORCES or enemy government disappears
"hen inc distinction between the civil
reputation and the armed forces itself
disappears 0''
IN any country in which there cyists
Hurh tremendous organizations for war
hs now obtains in Germany thor. 10 M
eie"r division between those whom the
government is responsible for feeding
ah" thpsc whom IL is not EXpcricnc.
SHOWS that the power to reuuisi.ion I'm
bc used to the fullest extent in order to
make sure that the wants Of the mill
laFF are supplied. and however much
goods may he imported for civil use II
IL ny the military that they will he
consumed IT military cXigcnclcs require
H. especially now that the German gov
eminent have taken control of ali the
ioodstuns In the country"
Alter giving statistics tending to
snow that supplies are reaching men.
tral ports from the United States 40 an
unprecedented extent" and rccitinc Of
forts on the part OF Ills Majesty's gov
crninent ITO deal as lcnicntly as pos
s'hie with neutral interests" Sir Ed
ward points out that Great Britain has
recognized the transfer of neutral flags
OF enemy ships belonging TO comma uir c
winch were incorporated in the enemy
country, but all of whose shareholders
were neutral, even waving objections
10 companies incorporated in Germany
which were subsidiary to and owned by
American corporations" the only condi-
/ ton being imposed that these vessels
should take no further part in trade
( with the enemy country"
WANTS ENGi.ANDS COURSE
MADE FULLY KNOWN
/ Il nave given these Indications" con.
/ ended Sir Edward. "of the policy which
"" have followed because ! cannot hell
i feeling that If The facts were more full,
; known as to the efforts which we hav
made TO avoid innicting any avoidab l
INJURY Oh neutral interests many of tn
complaints which have been received b.
the administration In Washington, an
which led To the protest which You
b Exccllency handed To me on the 2Sth O
December, would never have been mad,
My hope In that when the fact
/ and when il Is seen that our naval oper
atoms have not diminished America
, trade with neutral countries. and tina
the lines on which we have acted ar
consistent with the fundamental prin
ciples OF International law, IL will
apparent TO the government and peopl
Of the United States that His Majesty
government have hitherto endcavore
TO exercise their bclliGercnt rights wit
every possible consideration for the In
tcrcsts OF neutrals."