The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-15
Expresses Opinion u. S. Has
Taken No Adequate Steps to
Suppress Violations
DISPOSITION APPARENT
TO CONTINUE DEBATE
Asserted Blacklist 10 An Inher-
ent Right of Sovereign State
Bitter War Ahead Making
Restriction Necessary

| Washington, Nov. 1.-THE British.
reply to the American protest against
England's blacklist policy. delivered
| by the London Foreign Office on
october 10 and held secret by the
State Department was made public
today.
The reply Is a fiat rejection of all
the American contentious.
Some features of the note are ex-
pected to draw a reply from this gov
eminent. One is q 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 they had been bases of supply
for German warships and paymasters
of miscreants employed to destroy by
foul means factories engaged In maxi
I Ing, or ships engaged tn carrying sup-
plies required by the allies" He
added:
II am bound to observe, what do
not think will be denied, that no
adequate action has yet been taken
by the government OF the United
States to suppress breaches OF neu-
trality of this particularly criminal
kind, which / know that they ara the
first to discountenance and deplore."
May Draw Sharp Rejoinder.
The State Department In expected to
remind Great Britain that tho ad-
ministration of the neutrality laws Of
the United States permits Of no
criticism from a belligerent power II
there we're any real basis for the
charge, 1t was indicated. Great Britain
long ago would have made the matter
subject OF strenuous diplomatic pro-
test Il
Exception may also be taken ID
what was characterized as an obvious;
effort by viscount Grey to revive III
his note the submarine controversy
/ between this country and Germany.
He declared ten British merchant
vessels had been sunk without warm
ing between June and September
so. 1915. involving the loss of life.
and added:
Probably other vessels were sunk
without warning"
| The note was not regarded az con-
| ciltatory
| There was an intimation at the
| department that should England ap-
| ply the blacklist with due regard for
| the rights OF citizens Of this country.
| the chances OF the dispute becoming
! critical would be diminished It was
regarded as likely that tho depart
| ment would await evidences OF Brit.
! ish intentions IN the further applies
ton OF the blacklist policy before
either replying to tho note or notify
ing President Wilson Of the exhaus-
ton of diplomatic resources IN IN
! EFFORT 70 secure respect for American
| rights
State Department critics said the
evident object Of the note was to re-N
veal to the State Department the Brit
| sh governments annoyance, and at
the same time to hint that the Ameri-
! can government might get practically
what 1t asked.
A Surprising Conclusion.
| The following passage at the con-
| clusion OF tho note caused surprise:
! Suspicious and insinuations which
would construe so simple an action
11nnntblacklist) as an opening for
DcCret and unavowed designs on neu-
trail rights should have no place IN
the relations between two friendly
| countries."
Ofncials said II disclosed q fUelinr
of resentment IN tho British sovsrn-
ment not So markedly exhibited b.
fore. It contained q hint. they
| thought. OF possible disturbance az the
| friendly relations between the two
countries II such "suspicaon1' and
| 'Insinuations' continued. The cor-
respondence follows:
Text of Blacklist NoeA
Ambassador W. H. Page to the 9sc-
rotary Of state:
American EmbasU,
London. October II, 1915.
Sir,-With reference to the depart-
ment's telegram No. 1878. OF July 49,
I1916, 10 P. M, and to my telegram
No. 5oo3, of the 18th instant. I hAvo
the honor to enclose herewith q print
ed copy OF a note I have received
from the Foreign once concerning
the trading with the enemy act.