The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-06
u. S. TO INSIST
ALLIES OBSERVE
LAW OF NATIONS
Will Make an Inquiry at
Once Of AnglO-French
Intentions.
REPRISALS TO BE
no JUSTIFICATION

WAsHiNGToS. March 5.--The United
states Government will at once send
TO the British and French Govern
mcnts notes Of inquiry regarding
operations proposed under the general
blockade or embargo policy communi-
Monday
Though this latest mmunlcation IS
described as an inquiry IT will be Of
such nature as TO constitute COM
prehensive presentation Of the position
of the United States with regard to
the Allies new maritime programme.
There will be no room for doub;
left In the mind of the British and
French Governments as TO the adverse
views of the United States Govern
ment toward the Anglo French an
nounCement
I; had been intended TO delay such
an inquiry pending the receipt OF the
British reply to the American sug-
gcstions to both Great Britain
and Germany on he war zone
situation I; was also thought that
this action by the United States might
well be postponed until the issuance
Of the British orders In council. which
the British Prime Minister has stated
will clear up many Of the questions
In, .i,,n hs
= of cutting off trade with Germany
Decision for Action at Once.
However. since there Is as yet no indi.
cation as to when the British reply 10
the American note will he forwarded or
J when the promised orders IA council will
he forthcoming the decision was reached
. to-day to make inquiry AT once.
This inquiry will be sent as soon as
proper communication TO this effect can
he drafted. 1t will not take long.
officials of the Department OF state have
been giving careful consideration 60 the
situation for nearly week
While II IL desired by this Govern
ment 90 learn from Great Britain pre-
clsely how she intends to treat goods in
transit to and from Germany on the
high sens under the new policy, the
United states also hopes that an inquiry
may elicit from tho British some state
meut Of the grounds upon which tn.
new proerdmme is to be jus,itiel from
their point OF view.
Thus far the British and French have
eudcavored to make no legal argument
IN support Of their proposal 20 cut off
AL trade with Germany. bas!ng their
announcement wholly on the ground
that the extra legal acts OF Germany
justified these reprisals by her enemies.
This defence of the new policy does
not At present interest the United states
60, o,crument in the least, as It holds that
this country can take no cognizance OF
what one of the bciigerents may be-
doing to it's enemy except as II affects
the United States.
Nor does II accept the claim Of both
parties to the conflict that Illegal acts
by their enemies justify them in throw
ing aside all law,
The American POaitiOn.
The position OF the United States is
that whatever may be the relations be-
tween the belligerents In regard to the
law. legal principle. still govern the re-
lations Of the United states with all tho
hellgerents and that in defence OF its
neutral rights it proposes 10 hold all the
hell!gerents 10 observance Of the prir-
affect American interests.
Therefore If the allied Governments
have any legal defence Of their position
20 offer tho United states would like 10
have IT presented. and the inquiry about
&, ZEE made viii seek to bring II forth
The impression is growing here thar
the details of the All esN policy have not
yet been settled among themselves, Dis.
cusslon OF the last few days in England
have strengthened this belief which is
regarded ~ one reason Why the issuance
of the orders In council and the for
wardng Of the reply % the American
note nave been delayed
credit is given to the British states
men for sufficient farsight edness not 10
undertake a policy which might even
tually react to the injury OF their own
interests The questions raised by Brit
ish members of Parliament as to how
England is to obtain supplies now
brought from Germany II III. new policy
has all the effect of 4 blockade are re-
garded here as indicating the possibility
that the new operations may not be as
drastic az the Anslo-lfronch announce
ment would indicate.
The pf1hiem as to wha, treatment ls
10 he accorded to goods detained by the
British or French in transit to o. from
German, If they are not 10 he cOutis-
Gated is also believed 10 be perpleXing
The Allies.
Though there has been during tn.
last few days somewhat OF lull in the
activities OF this Government with refer
once to tho maritime situation in the
war area it was clearly indicated to-day
that this is by no means to be inter-
preted as any relaxation OF the deter
minaton Of the Administration 10 main
tain the trade rights of Americans.
Such delays as nave been caused are
due entirely To the periods required for
Il plomatlc Exchange and FOR thorough
consideration of the actions and counter
actions of the belligerents.
COMPROMISE EXPECTED.