Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-21
WTLHELMINA CARGO
MUST GO TO COURT
England in Note to United States
Says Load to Be Held for Prize
Tribunal Decision.
GERMAN METHODS ARE FLAYED

LONDON, Feb. 2O.-The British
government announced yesterday it
had decided that the cargo of
the American steamer, Wilhelmina,
should he held for the decision of the
prize court.
This announcement was made by
Sir Edward Grey. the British foreign
secretary. II seems to make clear
the purpose Of Great Britain to de-
clare all foodstuffs for Germany con-
traband, as we'll as to foreshadow
other reprisals.
Denounces Foes Methods.
In his note Sir Edward Grey. after
reviewing the German methods of
warfare and denounclng them as alb
solute violation Of all international
usages, says:
/ III therefore. his majestys government
/ should hereafter feel constrained 10 de-
clare foodstuffs absolute oontraband or
To take other measures for interfering
with German trade by way OF reprisals
they expect that such action will not he
challenged on tho part OF neutral states.
| by appeals to laws and usages Of war
whose validity rests on their forming an
integral part Of that system OF interna-
tional doctrine. which. as a whole. their
enemy frankly boasts the intention TO dis
regard, 80 long as such neutral states
cannot compel the German government
J TO abandon methods Of warfare which
have not In recent history been regarded
as having the sanction Of either law or
humanity"
The British Reply.
| Great Britain's reply 20 the American
note on the Wilhemina case. which was
handed today 20 Walter Hines Page. the
American Ambassador follows:
The communication made by the
United States Ambassador In his note to
Sir Edward Grey OF the 18th instant has
been carefully considered and the follow
| Ing observations are offered In reply:
AT the time when his majestys gov
ernment gave directions for the seizure
OF the cargo OF the steamship, Wilhelm
ina, as contraband. Il had before It
the text OF a decree made by the Ger.
man federal council on January 25,
under article As OF which all grain and
flour imported into Germany after jan
to certain organizations under direct
government control or 10 municipal
authorities. The vessel was bound for
Hamburg. one OF the free cities OF the
German empire. the government Of which
Is vested In the municipality. This was
one OF the reasons aotuating his ma.
Jesty's government in deciding to bring
the cargo Of the wIheImina before a
prize court
Provision Repealed.
Information has only now reached them
that by a subsequent decree, dated Feb
ruary 8, tho above provision In ar
ticle 4s OF the previous decree was
repealed. 4 would appear. for the ex-
press purpose OF rendering difficult the
anticipated proceedings against the viii
heimina. The repeal was not known 10
his msjesty's government at the time OF
the detention OF the cargo, or indeed, until
now. How far the ostenslble exception
OF Imported supplies from the genera,
government monopoly Of all grain and
Hour set up by the German government
may affect thu question OF the contra.
band nature OF the shipments seized, is a
matter which will most suitably be In.
vestigated by the prize court.
~ is. however necessary TO state that
the German decree Ia not the only sro,nd
on which the submission OF the cargo OF
the Wilhelmina to the prize court Is rus.
titled. JUS
Smelling of Towns
me German government has in pub
TIC announcement claimed 10 treat prae-
ucally every town or port on the English
east coast rs fortified place and base
OF operations. on The strength OF this
contention they have subjected 10 bonn.
parchment the open towns OF Yarmouth
scarborough and whitby among others
On the same sround a number OF neutral
/. vessels sailing for English ports on the
east coast with cargoes OF goods on the
serman list OF conditional contraband,
eo peen seized by German cruisers and
Oi"usht oetore German prize court
Again the Dutch vessel Maria. having
saiied from California with a cargo NJ
grain consigned 70 Dublin and Rslsas,
was sunk In September last nv the c.
man cruiser Karlsruhe. This could onIv
nave been justified, a. amona o,har
! 'hlnss' tho cargo could have been nrovod
10 oe destined for the British goyern,nen,
OF Tor armed forces and n a presumption
70 TINS erect should be established OWN.
DuDin or Belfast being considered
'o'"ileo places or bases Tor armed forces
Care Have IL Both WAYS.
The German government cannot h.,.
both ways. II they consider them
solVea Justified In destroying by lombard.
men' the lives and property of the peace.
Iw civilian inhabitants OF English omar
towns and watering places ana IN se,v,n~
ana sinking ships and eargoes of eondt.
+ uonai eontraband on their way thi,ha,
Oh the Ground that they are CONSIGNED 10
fortified place or base. a fortIorl nj.
hsJestys government must be AZ lhar,,
70 treat Hamburg, which a. m n..,
protected By Qualifications AT the n,on,h
OF me kibe. as fortified town ana \. =
: OF operations and supply for the burmese.
: don. Vi Lon
~ the owners OF the cargo OF the WI.
neinina desire to question the valia,t,
IN International law OF the action takar
by order OF his majesty's Rovernno.n,
they VIII have every opportunity az -
taolishing their case In due course hs,or,
the prize court and his rnajesty's govern
ment would In this connection recall IN,
attention OF the United states severn.
ment to the confederation M. - y