New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-14
Reply TO American Protest
SAYS Neutrals Will Be
Protected.
ITS PROVISIONS AIMED
AT BRITISH SUBJECTS
Intended to Restrict Their Deal
ings with Those of Al.
lies Foes.

Washington, April 13.-Grest Brit
aims reply 20 the American note pro-
testing against the trading with the
enemy act as pregnant with POSSIBLE
tics Of undue interference with Ameri-
can trade describes the act ss purely
domestic legislation to restrict the &C
tivities and trade OF persons under
British jurisdiction" and assures the
United States that in its enforcement
every care will be exercised 10 avoid
injury 10 neutral commetce.
The act approved last December, ~
designed TO prevent British subjects
from trading with any business firm
which has business connections with or
is controlled in any part by Great
Britain's enemies. In its protest. pre-
scented 70 the British Foreign Office on
January 26 by Ambassador Page, .he
United States expressed the opinion
that the regulations had been framed
without a proper regard FOR the right
Of persons domicileA IN the United
STATES TO carry on trade with persons
in belligercnt countries" and made
formal reservation OF the right TO con-
test its legality should it be found that
American trade was hsmpered.
The British reply. in the form Of
Foreign Office memorandum to Ambas-
sador Page, dated February l6 and
made public by t5 State Department
tonight, says:
"The act was framed with the object
OF bringing British trading with the
enemy regulations into greater har-
mony with those adopted by the French
government since the commencement
Of the war by applying in some degree
the test Of nationality in the determine
tion OF enemy character in addition TO
tho old test Of domicile, which expert
cnce has shown cannot provide suf-
fcicnt basis under modern commercial
conditions for measures intended TO de-
priyc the enemy Of all assistance. d.
roc. or indirect, from national re-
sources
His majesty government realized,
however, that the application Of this
principle 10 its fullest extent, while
entirely legitimate and i'm accordance
with the practice Of other countries,
might, + applied at the present time
20 commercial activities as widespread
~ those OF British subjects. involve
avoidablc Inconvenience and loss to
innocent traders
His majesty's government readily
admit the right OF nersons OF any ma
tionality resident in the United States
20 engage in legitimate commercial
transactions with any other persons.
They cannot admit. however, that this
right can in any way limit the right
cf their governments 20 restrict the
commercial activities OF their nation
ais I'm any manner which may seem de
sirable 20 them by the imposition OF
prohibitions and penalties which are
operative solely upon persons under
their jurisdiction.
IN claiming this right, which ap
pears 70 them to be inherent in SOW
crcignty and national independence,
his maiesty's government desire to as
sure the United States government
that they will exercise II with every
possible care TO avoid injury to neut-
raj commerce, and they venture 10
think that the voluntary limitation OF
their powers by the terms Of the
trading with the enemy extension Of
powers act. 1915, is evidence Of their
desire and intention to act with the
greatest possible consideration for
neutral interests"