Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-11-24
REPLY ON BLACKLIST
BRITAIN RESENTS SUSPICION
THAT MOTIVE is ANYTHING
EXCEPT TO END WAR.
THE ANSWER IS NOT FINAL
Denies That Rights of Neutral Traders
Under international Law Have Been
Ruthlessly CanceIed-Lone Struggle
Predicted.

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 a muni-
cipal 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 to convince the state
department that the British position
is just and founded on law. 1t 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
American 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-
flict
IF that really were the position" "
says the note, at is possible that the
measures taken by his majesty's gov
ernment might be described as un-
called for, but it is not. We may well
wish that 1t were so. Even though
the military situation of the allies has
greatly improved, there is still long
and bitter struggle in front of them
and one which in justice to the princi.
pie for which they are fighting i'm.
poses upon them the duty of employing
every opportunity and every measure
which they can legitimately use te
overcome their opponents.
Whatever inconvenience may be
caused to neutral, nations by the ex
ercise of belligerent rights it is not tC
be compared for an instant to the suf
fering and loss occasioned to mankind
by the prolongation of the war ever
for week"
| In its argument the note points ou
that German business houses through
out the world have furthered th'
cause OF Germany in the war.
The note apparently admits Britain
has altered the position previousl.
held with the United States, that domi
cile and not nationality is the test O
enemy character, and argues that il
this war nationals or belligerents dom
iciled far from home may render grea
aid and comfort, admitting that thes
are sought to be reached by the black
list measure.
Attention is called to instructions t
British merchants, issued by Lord Rus
sell in 1862 regarding trade with tn
Bahamas during the Civil war, advis
ing that the true remedy" was to re
frain from this trade.
His majesty's government does nc
ask the government of the Unite
States to take any such action a
this" the note concludes, but
cannot believe that the United State
government will question its rigt
to lay upon British merchants, in tn
interests of the safety Of the Britis
empire, for which they are respons
BILE, the same prohibitions as Lor
Russell issued 90 years ago out of col
sideration of the interests and fee
ings of foreign nation. Suspicion
and insinuations which would col
strue SO simple an action as an opel
! ing for secret and unavowed design
on neutral rights should have no plaC
| in the relations between two friendl
countries"