The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-18

with treatment os riNs as contraband
in the French-Chinesa war.
"The measure In question:" Prince
Bismarck Is quoted as saying, "has
for its object the shortening of the
war by increasing the difficulties of
the enemy and is justillable step in
war IL impartially enforced againft
all neutral ships"
The British note here remarks:
His majesty's government are dis
posed to think that the same view Is
still maintained by the German gov
ernment Another circumstance,
which is now coming to light Is that
an elaborate machinery has been or
ganized by the enemy for supply of
focdstuffs for the use OF the German
army from oyor-seas. Under these
circumstances 1t would be absurd to
give any definite pledge lIct in cases
where the supplies can be proved TO
be for the use OF the enemy forces
they should be given complete i'm
munity by the simple expedient OF
dispatching them to an agent in nep-
trail port.
Reason For the Difference.
THE reason for drawing distinc-
tiOn between foodstuffs Intended for
tiS SiNib duQ luOSc Tue
armed forces of enemy government
disappears when the distinction be-
| tween the civil population and the
armed forces itself disappears.
I'm any country In which there cx-
lists such tremendous organizations
for war as now obtains In Germany,
there is no clear division between
those whom the government is respony
sible for feeding and those whom it is
not Experience shows that the pow
er to requlsition will be used to the
fullest extent in order to make sure
that the wants OF the military are sup
piled. and however much goods may
be impc II ed for civil use It Is by tho
military, that they will be consumed
If military exigencies require Il, es-
peciaily now that the German govern.
| ment have taken control OF nil iiie
fOodstuffs In the country - p. j, Is 9
Great Britain Very Benienf.
After giving statistics tendingN to
show that supplies are reaching neu-
trail ports from the United States to
IAN unprecedented extent" and reeit-
|. ing efforts =; the pafr OF mis- majesty's q
government "te deal as ieaisn..y as
possible with neutral interests" Sir
Edward points out that Great Britain
has recognized "the tranBfee{to a neu-
tral flag OF enemy ships belonging to
companies which were Incorporated
In the 'enemy country. but all of whose
share holders were neutral, even
waving objections to companies ''f-.-
corporated In Germany which IRE
subsidiary to and owned by American
corporations, the only condition be-
| ing imposed that these vessels ..shonld
take no further part in trade with the
enemy country
! Faces Not Fully Known.
have given these indications.p -
concluded Sir Edward. "of the noIicy
which we have followed because L
cannot help feeling that IL the facts
we're more fully known as To the ef-
forts which We have made TO avoid
inflicting any avoidable injury on neu-
trail interests, many OF tho complaints
which have been received sby the ad-
ministration in Washington. ard
which led to the protest which your
bexceilency handed to me on the fwen-
! ty-eighth of December, would never
have been made.
My hope Is that when the facts
which nave set out above are realjz-
\ cd, and when 1t is seen that our naval
operations have not diminished Ameri4
eau trade with neutral countries and
that the lines on which to have act
ed are consistent WITH ,undamen-
/! tai principles OF intern, nal law, It
| wiil be apparent to the government
4 and people Of the United States that
his majesty's government have hith-
erto endeavored to exercise their
boiiigerent rights with every possi-
pie consideration fos the interests OF
neutraIs,' - 5,