The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-02
(Dy Assoriuic.l Prcss.)

WASHINGTON, March ALI COM
mercial intercourse by sea between
Germany and the outside world was
declared prohibited today by Great
Britain and France Identical notes
presented by the French and British
ambassadors informed the United
States of this drastic step by the Allies
In reply to GerM mans war zone procla-
nation. The text of the notes was
the same as the statement made by
Premier AsQuith in the British parlia-
ment.
III this policy is enforced 1t no long
er will be possible to ship cotton.
manufactured articles and commodi-
| ties hitherto Of non -contraband
character from the United States to
German directly or. Indirectly, anu
from Germany the supply Of dyestuffs
and other merchandise for consunlp-
ftion in this country will be cut Off.
The impression was general in off,
cial circles tonight that n strong pro-
test would be made. The Allies action
was regarded as an unprecedented
and :c:ei step. officials pointed out
tilot In the reprisals which the belli-
gerents were making toward each
other there was singular forgethful-
ness Of the fact that whatevci' might
be the violations of international Gus
/, toms as between those countries at
war, this could not affect the status OF
International rules as between the
United States and countries with
which she was at peace.
Not a Reply to, American Proposals.
rw{x
that today's note was not reply to
Tie recent proposals OF the United
States for an adjustment of the entire
situation gave ground for hopes that
the measures taken might be only
temperOry. III this connection, the.
state department issued the follow
ing statement:
The British ambassador has pro-
sented the following Instructions from,
his government:
When presenting the joint Angle
French communication you should in
form the. United States. government
that the communication received from
| them through the United States am
bassador in London respecting pos
Sibie limitation of use of submarines
, and mines and an arrangement for
sunDlytng goods to Germany is being
tnken into careful consideration will
their allies"
Notes Sent TO President.
Copies OF the notes were transmit
ted Immediately by Secretary Bryan
to President Wilson. State DEPART
ment officials admitted that one OF tho
most complex problems OF fhe war
had arisen. Cfficinls were unanimous
IN the opinion that the notification
could not be called "blockake," al
, though 1t virtually had the same ef-
, fect, 1t was noted generally that the
communication did not use the word
blockade. The notes leave much.
therefore. to be explained.
1t was regarded us virtually certain
that the United Slater would promptly
inquire as to how the step was to be
carried into practice.
L. 3. Will Insist On Rights.
Officials and diplomats were curious
, on reading the text to know what
would be. the disposition OF cargoes
hitherto not listed as contraband. such
as cotton, which; II destined to Ger
many. tho allied fleets purpose to take
into British or French ports. An in
timatton was conveyed in British
anhrters that the Allies intended TO
idy outright all such cargoes, but it
was said that such promise would
not affect the determination OF tho
United States to Insist on It's rights TO
send non-contrabrand articles TO
Germany when the question is argued
In further diplomatic correspondence.
Just when the United States will act
On the latter note is dependent TO
some extent on when the replies are
received from the Allies and Ger
many to the informal communication
looking to an absoIition of submarine
warfare on merchant chips and the
shipment of foodstuffss to Athe civilian;
population OF heiiigerenta.auer 4 uermany's
answer iss said TO be an its way. and