The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-05
THAT REPLY OF ENGLAND.

RANTED that the reply OF Germany to the United
Al States on the submarine question was entirely
~ unsatisfactory to this country, it must be admit
L., that the reply Of England the note Of the United
ststes pertaining the legality OF the Orders IN Coun
Gil was Just unsatisfactory, N'not more So and re
oures the prompt attention Of the government OFFICIALS
II anything the note OF England blunt in tenor
and more complete denial Of the requests OF the Uni
ted States than was the reply OF the TeutOn govern
Eent
Questionable either in point OF law or upon the
rrneples OF international equity is the gist OF the
eurt repIy OF John Bull TO Uncle Sam England OIL
fers to submit to board OF International arbitration
any cases in which the United States IS dssatlsleo
with the action OF the British court OF claims But "na
IL an offer OF this nature complete denial OF the
requests made in the note: 1t simply little salve
1t is evident from the text Of the British note that
they are making the plea as was made by the
Germans viz that the changed conditions Of warfare
have made needful applications oil the principles
Of International law 1t is stated that the changed cof
atttons make it utterly impossible to live up to all the
former constructions placed certain phases OF inter
national law.
ifThis is rather weak plea TO make in the face OF
the fact that the United States made clear to Germany
hat while this country made due allowances Of the new
modes Of warfares yet the same time they had con-
Sidered these conditions before making the requests
which they did OF the Germans 1t is reasonable TO sup
pose that the United States made due allowances for
he changed conditions OF warfare before sending the
kote to England the same did before making the
formal demands on Germany.
1.-THE note from England frankly states that the Eng
sh government certainly intends keep on enforcing
the Order in Council although with every possible care
to avoid embarrassment OF neuuals.
Tut. Tut-is not that the very same statement that
rrk.. ad thar he
changed methods OF warfare and the blockade estab
shed by the English forced the people adopt
the submarine warfare and that they intended TO use
this means Of combating the foe although they would
endeayor as possible to avoid destroying neutral
vessels and the lives OF citizens Of neutral countries
Now the English right back and say that the new
methods Of warfare, combined with the activity OF the
German submarines makes it essential that they con
tInue the blockade and uphold the Orders in Council al
though they Will far as possible avoid making any
trouble for neutral countries.
The United States can well differentate between
England and Germany on the latest replies from these
countries II the United States officials see lit TO make
8 howl and fuss the reply of Germany and so so
far as to send a note to the Imperial government Of
Germany TO the effect that any hostile acts such
AZ were enumerated in the previous notes will be con
stdered by the United States deliberate unriendly
act; then this country likewise send note to Eng
land declaring that she refuses respect the requests
Of the United States on certain points in question. it
win be considered by this county deliberate and
unniendly act.
II need scarcely dwell" wrote Sir Edward Grey In the
note to this country the obligations incumbent on
the Allies to every step their power to overcome
the common enemy in view OF the shocking violations
Of the recognized rules and principles of civilized war
fare Of which he has guilty during the present
struggle"
True the Allies have the right to take every step in
their power to defeat the enemy; but in do
ing they must remain within the regulations of nterna
aional law. Two wrongs don't make right. Because
errany has seen 1T to disregard the principles Of in
trnationa law and caused end OF trouble to this
country by so doing is reason at all why England
should use this as an excuse throw fat in the fire.
england has broken the prescribed laws OF interna.
rcnal warfare. So has Germany Both are equally
unity. Because England has broken one law and Ger.
many another does not make England less guilty than
Germany, and visa versa.
Il is the duty OF the United States at this time if
ontry ia to remain neutral in fact well theory,
Ia send sharp and st to the English
"a note Just as strong in tenor the last one dis.
patched to the Germans.
England is guilty. Germany Is guilty. Germany is
Irving to blame England for having forced Germany into
doing wrong: and England is trying to show that Ger
many made her do wrong. There alibi for either
Germany or England Both countries have caused the
6nited States considerable anxiety and trouble and it
Is mp to Uncle Sam to tell both England and Germany