UNITED STATES AND THE BRITISH BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2429, 7 April 1915, Page 5

UNITED STATES AND THE BRITISH BLOCKADE

" A FRIENDLY NOTE | WIDE DISCRETION TO THE PRIZE COURTS (By Telegraph.—Press 'Aflsn.—Copyright,) London, April 5. Mr. W. H. Page, United States Ambassador, lias handed Sir Edward Grey a Note, which .emijjiasises that it is made in the most friendly spirit and in accordance with the uniform, candour characterising the relations between. the two Governments during; a hundred years. The Note points out that an unprecedented feature of the Allies' blockade is that it bars many neutral ports as though they were ports of Britain's . enemies. Tho United States notices, however, with gratification that a wide discretion is afforded to the Prize Courts, and confidently expects that tho powers given under the Order-in-Council will_ be restricted by orders to executive officers which lyill modify, in their practical application, those provisions which interrupt neutral legitimate trade. (Eec. April 6, 8 p.m.) London, April 6. The Koto, adds: "If the Order-in-Council is carried out it will constitute a practical assertion of unlimited belligerent rights over neutral commerce, and an almost unqualified denial of neutrals' sovereign rights. Belligerents have already been conceded the right.of search, and capture of contraband." Tho N.oto assumes that Britain will not deny tho right of transport of innocent shipments to and from the United Stages through neutral countries to belligerent territory. Hitherto-Britain has. not questioned these rights. For America to admit such interference would be an im-ne'utral act towards Britain's enemies, and if Britain made such a claim, it would be equivalent to setting at nought the principles .for-which she has consistently contended in the' past. PRESS COMMENT ON THE NOTE (Reo. April 7, 0.15 a.m.) J London, April 6. TH$ Press cordially welcomes the Note, commenting on its friendly tbrie. The "Daily Telegraph" says that'the suggestion concerning the passage through the' cordon will doubtless receive attention. tile '"fiaily Chronicle" says that the Allies could not, without destroying their policy, permit non-contraband goods to reach Germany through neutral countries. . SUNK BY THEIR OWN MINES GERMAN STEAMER IN THE BALTIC. Copenhagen, April 5. ■ The German steamer Grete Hemsoth (2-457 tons), struck a- German mine in the Baltic, and sank. Her crew of twenty-six were drowned. Another steamer foundered through a similar cause. The casualties aro attributed to melting ice loosening tho mines. London, April 5. The Russian barque.-which was reported yesterday to have been sunk bv a submarine, was the Hemes. She was sunk by bombs near St. Catherine's. The same submarine torpedoed and sank the steamer Olivine near by. Both crews were saved. |Two veSsels named Olivine are montloned in Llod.v's list. Both are British; 63-1 and 289 tons.l 'FROM ANTWERP TO THE NORTH SEA BY CANAL. Amsterdam, April 5. The Germans towed two submarines from Antwerp to the North Sea through the canals, via Ghent. "HUNTING EXCURSION VESSELS & FISHING SMACKS"AMERICAN GIBE 'AT GERMAN NAVAL METHODS. New. Yerk, 'April 5. The, New York Press asks if Admiral voii Tirpilz (German Minister of Marine) has definitely abandoned naval warfare, inasmuch as German submarines are giving enemy warships a wide berth and limiting excursion vessels and fishing snncks. Tho paper asks hew General ion Hintlenburg would cuitemplale ah order to use hip Armv Lb UM men, "omen, and children workers in tho fields, and then dash arrsv, from the Biiemy's troops

PIRATES* TOLL SINCE FEBRUARY 18 The following is a list of merchant ships sun]; or damaged by the enemy since February 18. the date upon which the blockade decree became effec-

tivo: — . Name. Tons. How sunk. Nationality. Diilwich 3,289 Torpedoed British Ville de Lille 997 Torpedoed French Bclridg© 7,000 Damaged by torpedo Norwegian Cambank 3,112 Torpedoed British Dinorali -1,200 Damaged by torpedo French Bjaerke or Bjarko 286 Mined ' Norwegian Evelyn _ 3,141 Mined United States Downshirs 337 Torpedoed British U-cgin 1,8-1-1 Torpedoed Norwegian BraiiK-somp Chine 2,026 Damaged by torpedo British Oakby 1,976 Torpedoed British Carib 2,087 Mined United States floyparana Collier Torpedoed British Harpalion o,8G7 Torpedoed British Western Coast l.GGG Uncertain British Deptford 1,1GG Torpedoed British Srarton 2,259 Damaged by mine or torpedo Swedish Bengrore 3,340 Torpedoed or mined British Tangistan 3,738 Torpedoed British Blackwood _ ... ; 1,230 Torpedoed British Princess Victoria — Torpedoed -British Bayano 5,948 Torpedoed British. Adenwen 3,798 Damaged by torpedo British Headlands 2,988 Torpedoed " British Florawm ' 4.658 Torpedoed British Invergyfe 1,794 Torpedoed British Indian City — Torpedoed British Andalusian 2,349 Torpedoed British Hanna . 1,537 Torpedoed SwedisH 'Auguste Conseil 2,952 Torpedoed French Hartdale — Torpedoed British Fingal — Torpedoed British Lleewarden — Sunk British 'Atlanta 2,094 Damaged Vy torpedo British Gleiiartney 5,201 Torpedoed British Hyndford 4,286 Damaged by torpedo British Blue Jacket 3,515 Damaged by torpedo British Carntoff — Torpedoed British Concord — Damaged by torpedo British Medea. 1,235 Torpedoed J British Delmira, 5,450 Torpedoed British Vosges 1,295 Gunfire British Falaba 4,806 Damaged , British