Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-11-22
BRITAIN DENIES
CHARGES BY j. s.
Blacklist Reply Made Public by
State Department.
MADE TO SHORTEN THE WAR
Defines Measure as Regulation Con-
corning Only Ensiand-Denies
Rights of Traders Have Been
RuthlessIy Cancelled.

Washington. Nov. 16.--The British
reply to the latest American note pro-
testing against the trade blacklist,
made public on Wednesday by the
state department, denies that rights OF
neutral traders under international
law have been ruthlessly Cancelled, de
fines the blacklist measure as mu-
nicipal regulation plainly concerning
only the British government and Brit
ish citizens. contends that it Is de-
signed to shorten the war and scorns
the suspicion that Britain is using the
war as a measure TO take away neu-
trails trade.
The note fails TO meet the Ameri-
can demand that the names of Ameri-
can firms be stricken from the black
list, but attempts 10 convince the state
department that the British position
is just and founded on law II leaves
open the door for further negotiation,
which is expected to follow
A part which attracted much Off
cial notice dealt with the subject of
peace. based on the theory that one
Americans contention had been that
there exists no military necessity for
the blacklist; that nothing which hap
pens in distant neutral countries can
influence the result of the great con
tiiet.9
''lf that realty were the position
says the note, lit is possible that the
measures taken by his maiesty's gov
eminent might be described as UNI
called for but IL IS not. We may well
wish that it were So. Even though
the military situation OF the allies has
greatly improved. there is still a long
and bitter struggle in front Of them
aud one which in Justice to the princi-
pies for which they are fighting i'm
poses upon them the duty of employ
ing every opportunity and every meas
use which they can legitimately use to
overcome their opponents.
Whatever Inconvenience may be
caused to neutral nations by the ex-
ercise OF belligerent rights 1t is not to
be compared for an instant to the suf-
fering and loss occasioned 10 mankind
by the prolongation Of the war even
for a week"
In It's argument the note points out
that German business houses through
our the world have furthered the
cause 0f Germany jn the war.
The note apparently admits Britain
has altered she position previously
held with the United States. that dami-
ellie and not nationality is the test OF
enemy character. and argues that in
thls war nationals or belligerents dom
iciled far from home may rendcr great
aid and comfort. admitting that these
are sought 20 be- rpHched by the black
list lscasure
Attention is called go instructions to
British merchants issued by Lord Rus
sell IN 1867 regarding trade with the
bahamas during the civil war advis-
ing thar the true remedy was To re-
frain from This trade
HIS maleSty'S government does not
ask the government If the United
SUteS rp take any such action as
this, the note concludes. but II
cannot believe that the United States
government viii Question It's right
Ia lay upon British merchants. in the
interests of the safety " the British
empire, for which they are RESPONSE
bile, ihe same prohibitions as Lord
Russell issued 80 years ago out Of con
Sideration for the interests ami feel
inrs af "a foreign nation. Suspicious
and destinations which would con
>rrle So simple an artiou as an open
ing for secret ANT unavowed designs
on neutral rights g iuld have no place
in the relations berWcep two CripndY
cuunJrieS