Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-18
British patrol in European waters only
TO he held up by cruiser off New York
and taken into Halifax
Similar cablegram sent to pari.
BRYAN"

Is
and taken into Halifax
similar cablegram sent TO Paris.
BRYAN"
REPLY TO WASHINGTON
10y FRENCH GOVERNMENT
The American ambassador at Paris
transmitted to the Secretary of State
from the French government the fol-
lowing message:
Paris. March "A. 1915.
French government replies:
In letter dated March =. Your FIX
ceilency drew my attention to the views
OF the government OF the United States
regarding the recent communications
from the French and British govern
ments concerning restriction to be
iaid upon commerce with Germany Ac-
cording to Your EXcellency's letter, the
declaration made by the allied govern
ments presents some uncertainty as re-
CARDS its application.
AT the same time. Your Exccllcncy
notified me that the government Of the
United states was somewhat apprchen-
sire that the allied belligerents might
capture In waters near America any
ships which might have escaped the
cruisers patrolling European waters In
acknowledging receipt Of Your Excel
l"ncSs romuunica ton l have the honor
10 INFORM yon that the government OF
the republic has not failed to consider
the conditions OF application as far as
my government is concerned Of the dec
laration OF the allied governments AS
we'll set forth by the Federal govern
ment. the old methods OF blockade can
not be entirely adhered to In view OF the
use Germany has made OF her sub
marines, and also by reason OF the geo
graphical situation of that country. In
answer to the challenge contained in
the declaration by which the German
Imperial government stated that II con
sidcrcd the seas surrounding Great
Britain and the French coast on the
channel ms q military zone. the allied
governments have been obliged to ex-
anime what measures they could adopt
to interrupt all maritime communion
ton with the German empire and thus
keep II hlockaded by the naval power of
the two allies. ut the same time. how
ever, safeguarding as much az possible
the legitimate interests OF neutral
powers
NO SEIZISG OF NEUTRAI.S
ENCEPF FOR CONTRABtND
The government OF the republic
therefore. reserves TO itself the right Of
bringing into a French or allied port
any shlp carrying q cargo presumed, to
ID" OF German origin. destination or
ownership, but il will not seize any
neutral ship except in case of contra.
imG his lawful ownership OF inerchan-
uiSe destined TO Germany lie Shall be
entirely free TO dispose OF same, subject
10 certain conditions. In case the own
or of tn" goods is German they shall
he Seduestrated during the war.
Merchandise OF enemy origin shall
only lac scquestrated when 1t Is ut the
gam" time The property OF an enemy.
merchandise belonging TO neutrals shall
bc hcid AT The disposal OF its owne,
TO he returned 10 the port of departure
MS You Excellency will observe.
these measures respect the rights of
neutrals and will not in any wnv
IeopardiZe private property.
The government OF the republic, he
ing desirious OF allowing neutraIs every
iaciiity 10 enforce their claims, give
my prize court Tan independent
'rihunaD coEnizarce of these questions
ana In order to give the neutraIs as
nttle trouble rs possible it has specified
'hat the prize court shall give sentence
withih eight days from the date on
which the case shall have been brought
before H.
DO not doubt. Mr.. Amba ssador,
thai the Federal government. COM
pairing on the one hand the unspenkable
violence with which the German mill
tarN government threatens ncutrals, the
criirlhai actions unknown I'm maritime
annals alrend" pcrpetratcd against
Heutrhl property ana ships and even
against the lives OF neutral subjects or
citizens, and OH the other hand, the
measures adopted by the allied gov
crninehts OF France and Great Britain,
respecting the laws OF humanity and
the rights of Individuals will readily
perceive that the latter have not over
stepped their strict rights as bellig-
crents.
FINALLY | am anxious to assure you
that II lis not and II has never been
the intention OF tho government of tho
republic to extend the action OF its
cruisers against enemy merchandise
beyond European seas. the Mcditerran-
can included.
SHARP"
The reply from the British govern
meht, transmitted by the American am