Arizona republican., 1915-11-09
The Note to Great Britain

There be genuine American criticism
II the governments strong note to Great Britain
protesting against, and denOuncing in vigorous Ian
s--a,e the interference of that country with neutral
non -contraland commerce. unless it may be said
Ia have been too long delayed The London papers
complain much of the language that enters
Iuso ii is mdplomatic the point of unfriendli-
ness. that the American government has failed to
take account the desperate situation of Great
Britain and that we have failed apply old prin-
,ipies to novel conditions of warfare.
There the British In the matter of the
offenscs both Germany and Great Britain, the
forbearance has been shown by this govern
nleut- There a fun recognition of the peculiar
situation Of each of those countries. And there
was an earnest effort recognize that the prin-
ciples governing civilized warfare should be given
a application Thus, may be explained the
protesting against the injuries which
had been done by both belligerents 1t only
when the outrages of both upon American rights
On the became unbearable that this govern
ment entered mild protest.
Germany has reluctantly admitted its fault and
has met our protests with evasive argument until
has been necessary to change the protest to
a warning. amounting almost ultmatum.
We cannot very distinguish between the
offsnses which Germany and Great Britain have
committed IF the occasioned the loss of Ameri
Fonor; offered in extenuation of the first
the death of Americans. regrettablea it might
De. a necessary incident in the destruction of
supplies destined for the of enemy
Britain by its orders-in council understood
effective only in territorial waters,
limited American commerce to the countries of the
allies These orders made and enforced with
ont consultation with the neutras affected Except
ia sho national HYMN, "Brittania Rules the Waves"
there had never before been such definite and
sweeping pronouncement by Great Britain of her
dominion the
might have borne longer with this
maritime tyranny but for the suspicion. amounting
almost a conviction, that the later of these
ORDERS intended less measures OF
against Germany than measures of CONNER
cial against the United states-to create
british monopoly of trade with the neutrals of
northern Europe. A practical blockade of all neut-
ral ports in the north declared the ground
that the merchandise shipped to them would
,ually find its way into Germany. 1t declared
that these neutral countries buying
heavily than formerly OF the United States. pre-
sumabiy for reshipment German ports The
American note demoishes this contention when it
points that Great Britain is selling heavily
the neutrals (and it might have been stated that
tine shipments Of the United States 20 those
Jries limited in volume to the quantities sold
them before the war; Great Britain is the chief
northern neutrals.
This and every other argument which the Brit
ish have offered in support of the orersin
have been met and wiped by the American
The people of this country will
s1uarely behind the president in this issue if he
himself will stand it squarely, firmly. unequivo-
cally and without permitting British equivocation
Il remains be though, whether
the newspapers OF the country which warmly
supported the Germany the Lustania
and Arabic incidents will warmly the
Great Britain. We know that of them
viii of them have already
miider protests of this government same
subject.
We may speculate to the results of the nego-.
tiatons. If they should reach acute breaking
stage che effect upon the Anglo French loan is
he considered Though the loan has been sub
scrihed, hut small part of the subscriptions has
Yet been Iaid and the money under the terms
the loan is to remain in this country. The cessa-
orders from the allies however, would De a
different since those orders constitute the
chief stimuant industrial activity in the eastern.
middle and middle
Fst do not-think that acute breaking
Stase VIII &c reached Great Britain cannot afford