The Washington herald., 1916-11-15
U. S. NEUTRALITY
QUESTIONED BY
BRITISH PREMIER
Reply to Protest of Blacklist
Policy Flat Rejection Of
Contentious.
TONE NOT cONCILIAToRY
State Department Nettled by Attitude
of Viscount Grey-Answer
Likely.

The British reply to the American
protest against England's blacklist
policy, delivered by the London for
eign office on October 10 and held
secret by the State Department was
made public last night.
The reply is fiat rejection of all
the American contentious.
Some features of the note are ex-
pected to draw a reply from this
government. One is a charge against
the neutrality of the United States.
Viscount Grey declared that German
business establishments in foreign
countries have been active
agents for the purpose of
espionage" He alleged that they had
been bases of supply for German
warships and psymasters of misere-
ants employed to destroy by foul
means factories engaged in making,
or ships engaged in carrying, sup
plies required by the allies.
Critieizes U. s. Government.
He added:
am bound to observe, what Al
not think will be denied, that no ade-
quate action has yet been taken nv
the government Of the United States
10 suppress breaches of neutrality Of
TINS particularly criminal kind. which
know they are the first to discounte-
nance and deplore"
The State Department is expected To
remind Great Britain that the admin
istration Of the neutrality laws Of the
United states permits of no criticism
from belligerent power II there
were any real basis for the charSa IL
was indicated. Great Britain long ago
would have made the matter a subject
OF strenuous diplomatic protest Ex-
ception also was taken At the STATE
Department to what was characterized
as an obvious effort by vIscount Grey
to revive in his note the submarine
controversy between this country and
Germany. He declared ten British
merchant vessels had been sunk with
out warning. involving loss Of life, and
added: Probably other vessels were
sunk without warning"
The note was not regarded as oon-
ciliatory.
There was an intimation at the de-
partment that should England apply
the blacklist with due regard for the
right Of citizens OF this country, the
chances OF the dispute becoming crit
ical would be diminished II was re-
gsrded as likely that the depa rtment
would await evidence of British in
tentions. in the further application Of
the blacklist policy. before either re-
plying to the note or notifying PresI-
dent Wilson of the exhaustion of
diplomatic resources in an effort to
secure respect for American rights
View Of State Department.
State Department critics said the evi-
dent object Of the note was to reveal TO
the State Department the British gov
ernments annoyance. and at the same
time TO hint that the American govern
ment might get practically what IL asked.
The following passage at the conclusion
Of the note caused surprise: Suspicious
and insinuations which would construe so
simple an action Cthe blacklistl an open
ing for secret and unavowed designs on
neutral rights should have no place in the
relation between two friendly countries"
Offlcials said II disclosed a feeling OF
resentment in the British government not
so markedly exhibited before. II con
tanned a hint, they thought, OF possible
disturbance of the friendly relations be-
tween the two countries II such "suspi-
cions'' and 'insinuations" continued