The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-11
BRITAIN DEFENDS
SEIZURES OF SHIPS
Sir Edward Grey Says Acts Complain
ed of Were Justified - Did Not
Cause Trade Depression.

WASHINGTON, Jan. lI.-The reply
Of Great Britain to the protest Of the
United States against British practices
in interfering with the neutral trade
of this country was made public at the
state department. here this afternoon
The text of the note was stimuli
taneously given to the English press
In tone the British reply is friendly
and in spirit quite as frank as the
American note. 1t is largely an ar
gument in support of the British ex-
ercise of its control of the seas and is
designed to refute some Of the conten-
tions set forth IN the American protest
Aside from the protest against the
methods rather than the principle Of
the British policy with regard to stop
ping contraband destined for enemy
country it was considered here that the
strongest point in the American note
was the contention that Great Britain
had violated her own and the accepted
rule in her treatment Of foodstuffs lis
absolute contraband when consigned 10
neutral countries adjoining Germany.
The British reply TO this contention
is probably the weakest point i'm the
argument of his maiestey's govern
ment While il is maintained that
Great Britain has adhered to the ac-
cepted rule. and while it is declared
that it is her present intention to do
50. an excuse for departure from the
rule in future is sought in the ailega-
| tion that her enemies are violating the
accepted rules of civilization and hu-
manity.
No Surprise i'll the Reply
In general the British reply pro
sents little that was not expected here
Ibv those familiar with the respective
views Of the two parties to the con
| troyerSy. As was expected, Great
| Britain gives every assurance that
could be desired of conducting her on.
eratious with the least possible harm
to the interests of the United States
and those of neutral trade in genera
and, borrowing the very language OF
the American note with regard to trade
interference, asserts that only such in
reference as sis necessary to pro
tect the belligercnt i national safety
md then only TO ths extent to whicl
this Is necessary, is warranted OF in
tended by Great Brifain.
| 1t is explained that this note IS ;
preliminary communication to ''remoyt
some hiSCoHcepliohS3th thII seem 10 eA
ist' and viii be follower by one deal
ing in more detail with the issue
raised.
Taking mp the American contentior
thar British practices have caused dC
: preston in American trade by deny
ing American products their long e>
tablished markets in neutral countric
, Of Europe the British citc the Ameri
8 can export figures for November O
= 1913 and 1914.
> These show that the exports of tn
United States to Denmark. Sweder
. Norway and Italy, the neutral cour
: tries in question, We're from one an
? half TO fourteen times as large fo
: November. 1914. as in November. I9l.
Only in trade to Holland do the tis
/ ures show decrease in Novembc
:. 1914, as compared with Noyembe
a 1918.
t Great Britain comedies that cotto
: may have fallen of but points on
+ that She cannot be blamed for tha
MS She has at all times declared an
e practised the intention e not int
e fcring with cotton as contraband.