The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-08-04

WASHINGTON. ID. C. Aug. g.
Great Britain's replies TO the latest
American representations against In
reference with neutral commerce
reject entirely the contention that the
orders In council are illegal and jus-
tify the British course as being Who'll
ly within international law. "Unsus-
tainable either in point OF law or
upon principles OF International equi-
ty Ia the British reply 20 the Ameri-
can protest against the blockade OF
neutral ports. with an invitation TO
submit TO International arbitration
any cases In which the United States
is dissatisfied with the action OF the
British prize courts.
Great Britain's reply. embodied In
two notes. one supplemental. was
made public here tonight and in Lon
don simultaneously by agreement be
tween the two governments With
the notes was made public also the
correspondence over the American
steamer Neches. seized by the British
while en- route from Rotterdam 10
the United States with goods OF Ger.
man origin. All the correspondence
aggregates seven thousand words.
Changed conditions OF warfare. the
British note contends. requires a new
application Of the principles OF inter
national law. The advent OF the sub
marine. the airship and the alleged
atrocities by German troops in Bel
gium are cited as Justification for the
exercise Of extreme measures. The
blockade is justified on the contention
that the universally recognized funda-
mental principles OF a blockade is that
belligerent IA entitled to cut OF by
effective means the sea-borne COM
merce OF his enemy"
England viii Continue.
The note reiterates that Great Brit
ain will continue to apply the orders
complained OF. although not without
every effort TO avoid embarrassment
to nsutrals. and observes that the
American statistics show that any
ioss In trade with Germany and Aus
tria has been more than overbal-
anced by the increase OF other indus
Trial activities due TO the war.
In the general reply 10 the Ameri-
can representations against the Orders
in Council. Sir Edward Grey. the for
eiKn minister. addressing Ambassador
Page. begins by expressing the hope
that he may be able to convince the
administration in Washington that
the measures We have announced are
not reasonable and necessary in them
selves. but constitute no more than
an adaptation Of the old principles
OF blockade to the peculiar circum-
stances with which we are confronted.
Il need scarcely dwelr wrote sir
Edward, "on ihe obligations incum-
bent upon the allies 10 take every
step In their rover TO overcome their
comomn enemy IN view OF the shock
Ing violation of the recognized rules
and principles Of civilized warfare OF
which he has been guilty during the
present struggle
Sir Edward then refers TO atrocities
In Belgium. poisoning Of wells in Ger.
man South Africa. use OF poisonous
gases against allied troops in Fland-
ers and finally The sinking OF the Lust
taina. 10 show how indispensable
n f. that We should leave unused no
justihable method OF defending our
selves"
Question Of Blockade.
Coming down 10 the question OF the
allied blockade Of neutral ports the
note continues
In the various notes which I have
received from your excellency. the
rirht OF belli yerent 70 establish a
blockade Of the enemy ports Is admit