The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-06
Americas Tone to Allies May
Be as Bellico.e as That Used
In Note to Germany
Must Recognize
| Laws of Nations
United States Will Stand F irmly
On Right to Ship Noncon-
traband Goods Into Ger
many

Washington, March 5.-The
United States government Will at
oTts. address To the British and
French governments notes OF In
Quiry regarding operations pro-
posed under the general block
ado policy communicated to ncu-
trail governments last Monday.
Though this latest communica-
ton Is described as an inquiry,
IL will he of such nature as to
constitute comprehensive pre-
scntAtion III the position Of the
United States with regard to the
allies new maritime program.
There will be no room for doubt
left In the mind of the British
ard French governments rs TO
the adverse views of the United
States government toward the
Anglo French announcement.
1t had been intended to delay such
an inquiry pending the receipt OF the
British reply to the American sug-
gestions to both Great Britain and
Germany on the war zone situation.
1t was also thought that this action
by the United States might we'll be
postponed until the issuance of the
British orders In council, which, the
British have stated will clear up
many OF the questions now In doubt
regarding the new policy of cutting
off trade with Germany.
However. since there Is as yet nc
indication as to when the British re.
ply 10 the American note will be for
warded, or when the promised orders
in council will be forthcoming, the
decision was reached today TO make
inquiry at once. This inquiry will
he snt forward as soon as q proper
communication 70 this effect can be
drafted. This will not take long, nj
ufnciais of the Department Of Stats
have been giving careful considera.
tien to the Situation for nearly q
week.
Inquiry as to Justification
While 1t IL desired by this govern.
ment to learn from Great Britain
precisely how she intends to trea,
ships in transit to and from Germany
on the high seas under the new pol
Icy. the United States also hopes that
an inquiry may elicit from the Brit
ish some statement OF the grounds
upon which the new program is to be
justified from their point of view
Thus far the British and French have
endeayored To make no legal argu-
ment In support OF their proposal to
cut eff all trade with Germany, bas-
Ing their announcement wholly on
tiic thdl tiS Waltz iGEat ActH
of Germany justified these reprisals
by her enemies.
This defense of the new policy does
not at present interest the United
States government in the least. as {,
holds that this country can take nc
cognizance of what one of the bell
ligerents may be doing to its enemy
except as Il affects the United States
Nor does 1t accept the claim of both
parties TO the conflict that illegal acts
by their enemies justifies them In
throwing aside all law. The position
of the United States is that whatever
may be the relations between the bel.
hgerents in regard to the law. legal
principles still govern the relations oi
the United States to all the belliger-
ents and in defense OF its neutra
rights. 1t proposes to hold all the bel
tgerents to observance OF the princi.
Piles Of law so far az their operations
AFFECT American interests. Therefore
IL the allied governments have any
legal defense OF their position to of
fer. the United States would like te
have 1t presented, and the INQUIRY
about to be made will seek to brine
It forth.
The impression is growing here
that the details of the allies polio,
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