The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-15

ios. ~ two tIyes no information be-
ing available as to the other, and
three neutral. involving the loss OF
one life. Even so the list Is incom-
piete Probably other vessels were
sunk without warning and more llVes
than those enumerated were lost' IL
may be added that where those on
board did escape II was. as a RUE
only by taking to open boats
Relief ships Sunk.
"a One of the first enterprises TO
feel the loss of tonnage has been the
Commission for Relief in Belgium. Re-
lief ships have themselves been re-
peatedly sunk. and in spite OF all the
efforts OF His Majesty's government
in spite OF the special facilities given
for the supply of coal 20 ships en-
gagged In the commissions service thal
body is constantly unable to Import
into Belgium the foodstuffs absolutely
necessary to preserve the life ef the
population. Can 1t then BE wondered
that the British government are anN-
ious to limit the supply OF BRUSH
coal in such a way AZ to reserve II as
far as possible to ship. genuinely en-
ployed in allied or neutral trade?
"a There Is, indeed. one preoccupa
ti~n in regard to this use ef coaiing
nent which is no doubt present in the
minds Of neutrals. and which ! r"roE-
nize. I prefer to the apprehension that
the potential control over means 81
transportation thus possessed by one
nation might be used for the disrup-
ton OF the trade Of the world In tn
selfish interests of that nation, Ills
Matestv's government therefore TAX
this opportunity 10 declare that They
are not unmindful Of the obligations
Of those who possess sea-power, moi
Of that traditional policy pursued BY
the British empire by which such pow
er has been regarded as trust anc
has been exercised in the interests OF
freedom They require no represeh'
tations to recall such considerations
to mind, but they cannot admit that
nm tho circumstances OF the times
! their present use Of their coal re
sources, a use which only differs II
extont from that exercised bY IT,
/ United states In the civil War In th'
/ case OF vessels proceeding 70 suci
ports as Nassau. Is obnoxious to the'
duties or their voluntary professto ns
| 2b In conclusion. I cannot refrain
! from calling to mind the instruction
issued by Lord Russell on the 9Th July
1892 to the merchants OF Liverpool II
regard 20 trade with the Bahamas
| His lordship there advised British sub
| tects that their true remedy" woul'
! he to "refrain from this species o
trade" on the ground that ut expose
! innocent commerce to vexatious de
| tention and search by American cruis
/ ersr
! 2s His Matesty's government DO no
! ask the government of the Unite
! States to take any such action n
this. but they cannot believe tha
the United States government vii
question their right to lay upon Brit
El~h merchants. In the interests OF N
safety OF the British empire, FOR whic
they are responsible. the same prohi
billions as Lord Russell issued fft
years ago out Of onsideration for IN
T interests and feeling of foreign ma
ton. Suspicious and tnsinuaton
which would construe so simple
action as an opening for secret an
unavowed designs on neutral right
should have no place in the relation
between two friendly countries.
eT, I trust that the explanation
contained IN this note will deetro
such suspiciona and correct the error
locus views which prevail In the Unit
; ed States on the subject.
have. etc,
GREY OF FALLODoN