New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-15

tba. there il serious danger to neutral
commerce generally in the BRITISH aoil-
;,v N extend the list where IL seems
expedient. the note says that THIS Is
true hut that the American government
NAV rest assured that "this system OF
nrohibitions will not be carried further
than is absolutely necessary
ar has been forced upon us, con-
,inues the note, "by the circumstances
OF the present war. To- extend 1t be-
vond what is required in order TO Sc
cure its immediate purpose-the weak
ening Of the resources OF our oppo-
nents-or TO allow it to interfere WIN
what is really the genuine neutral
trade of a country with which we desire
10 have the closest commercial inter
course. would be contrary to BRUSH
interests. The advantage derived from
a commercial transaction between
British subject and foreigner ]"
mutual"
Denies Selfish Motives
Viscount Grey says apparently there
are persons in the United States almost
impossible to convince that treat
Britain is taking measures against its
enemies and not merely TO roster lts
own trade at the expense OF neutrais.
He denies his government has sucn an
unworthy object in view, asserting
that in all cases his government mas
done everything possible to cause as
little dislocation of neutral commerce
as possible.
The note apparently admits that
Britain has altered the position pre-
viouslv held with the United States
that domicile and not nationality is the
oh
that in this war nationals of belliger-
ents domciled far from home may rem
der great aid and comfort, admitting
that these are sought to be reached by
the blacklist measure.
Referring to exclusion OF ships using
British coal from carrying goods pc
longing TO a blacklisted firm, the note
argues that there can be no legal OBJ
lection to such refusal. which IS
merely denying the use of British coal
TO carriage of goods TO persons actively
assisting Great Britain's enemies.
Must Conserve Coal
II points to the destruction of tom
mage by German submarines, and says
that. if TO other factor entered into
the question, the British coal supply
should be conserved to be certain that
there Is enough for ships supplying
the Belgian Relief Commission.
Discussing the argument that there
il apprehension that potential control
of transportation by one nation might
be used to disrupt the trade OF the
world in it's own selfish interests, the
note asserts:
"His Majesty's government therefore
take this opportunity to declare that
they are not unmindful of the obliga-
tions of those who possess sea power
nor of that traditional policy pursued
by the British Empire by which such
power has been regarded as trust
and has been exercised in the inter-
ests of freedom.
They require no representations TO
recall such considerations TO mind, but
they cannot admit that, in the circum-
stances of the times, their present use
of their coal resources. use which
only differs in extent from that exer-
cised by the United States in the Civil
War in the case Of vessels proceed
ing to such ports as Nassau, is OBJ
noxious to their duties or their volun
tary professions"
How British Acted in 1862
Attention is called to instructions to
British merchants issued by Lord Rus
sell in 1862 regarding trade with the
Bahamas, advising that the true rem
edy" was 70 refrain from this trade.
"His Majesty's government do not
ask the government of the United
States to take any such action as
this" the note concludes, "but they
cannot believe that the United States
government will question their right
to lay upon British merchants, in the
interests Of the safety of the British
Empire. for which they are respon-
sible, the same prohibitions as LORD
Russell issued fifty years ago out OF