Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 41, 19 February 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

A WHITE PAPER.

RIGHT OF SEARCH.

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER’S IMPORTANT DECLARATION.

[United Press Association. 1 _ London, Febrary 17

Sir Edward Grey, in a White Taper containing 7000 words, which is addressed to Mr Page, again insists that the United States trade with neutrals has actually increased since the war, showing that a substantial part was intended for the enemy. He instances the United States exports of meat products to Denmark, and oil to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The elaborate German machinery for the snpp y 0 foodstuffs from overseas is now coming to light, and under the circumstances it would be absurd to give a definite pledge-not to interfere in cases where supplies can be proved to be for the use of the enemy’s force merely because of the expedient adopted of shipping to an agent at a neutral 1 If neutrals are suffering a shortage of ocean transport, it is not clue o Britain’s interference, for only eleven neutral vessels are awaiting the adjudication of the Prize Court. Bntau does not object to their release upon bail. The detention of neutral shir had not contributed to the shortage as much as the mines laid indiscriminately on the high seas, which had already destroyed 25 neutral vessels. A century ago the difficulties of land transport rendered it impracticable to obtain seaborne goods thioug neutral nations, but the adven o steam made this easy. The United States in the divil war first practised the capture of contraband destined for the enemy hut shipped o a neutral port. Britain was now facing the problem of intercepting supplies which had been arranged by an elaborate organisation witih unstinted expenditure; hence it was nedfessary to inquire as to the destination of particular shipments, even if a slight delay occurred, otherwise she would have to abandon her belligerent rights, and prolong the war as well as increase the loss and suffering of the world. The system of milking inquiries was a new departure, but it was wholly to the advantage of neutrals. The growth in the size of steamships often necessitated their being taken into calm water. Cruisers encountered many neutral merchantmen under conditions impossible to launch a boat. During the civil war the United States took vessels to a port, and similar action was taken in the Russo-Japa-nese war. The right to search was especially necessary when merchantmen were able to lay mines, and were even fitted for the discharge of torpedoes and were able to conceal their supplies for submarines under their other cargo. Britain was making every effort to reduce the delays to a minimum .

These most'i difficult questions xn connection with conditional contraband arose over foodstuffs. Bismarck, in 1885, refused to intervetie in connection with the treatment of rice as contraband, urging that the necessary evils of war may be increased by interference by neutrals with the manner in which another Power carries on the war. Bismarck added that the object of the measure, which was to shorten war by increasing the enemy’s difficulties, was justifiable if impartially enforced on all neutral ships. Sir E. Grey says that the British Government is disposed to think that Germany is still maintaining this view. He concludes by recalling that Britain established a special committee to ensure the speedy release of neutral goods aboard enemy’s ships, this being highly appreciated by many Ameri. cans. Similarly Britain consented to waive her belligerent rights where ships belonged to companies incorporated in Germany, hut were owned by American corporations. When the facts were better known, he hoped it would be apparent to Americans that Britain was acting on lines consistent with the fundamental principles of international law, and was exercising her belligerent rights with every possible consideration for the interests of neutrals. The Press Bureau states that Sir Edward Grey’s reply to the American Note, on the contraband question on February 10th points out that nowadays trade and finance are cosmopolitan, and neutral commerce cannot escape grievous dislocation during a great war. American exports of all merchandise except cotton dxxring the first seven months of 1914 declined Hiper cent., while exports of the same articles from August )to November dropped less than four per cent. Consequently, excluding cotton, the effect of the war had been to arrest the decline of American exports. Any decrease in exports attributed to the war was essentially due to cotton, which was not contraband.

The Note reviews the history of the prize® courts, and shows that Britain’s exercise of belligerent rights causes a minimum delay to neutrals. The announcement of Germany’s intention to sink merchantmen cargoes wjthout verification of nationality or providing for the safety of non-com-batants and crews made it necessary for the British Government to consider measures of protection. Jt was impossible for one belligerent to depart from the rules and precedents and for others to, remain hound thereby. Sir Edward Grey points out that the

distinction between foodstuffs destined for civilians and those ior aimed forces disappears when the distinction between the civil population and a jied forces disappears. x However much goods may be intended for civil use, 'they will be consumed by the military if exigencies require, especially now that the German Government has taken control of all foodstuffs.

review of trade with neutrals AND THE ALLIES.

GREY’S CONVINCING STYLE.

(Received 9.5 a.rn.) London, February 18

Sir Edward Grey pointed out that the war had not interfered with American commerce to Brtiain and the Allies, yet the trade with those countries during the four months of the war had diminished to the extent of over twenty-eight' million dollars, whereas American trade to the neutrals and Austria increased over twenty million dollars. There was greater reason to protest against the belligerents’ interference with innocent neutrals by Germany’s broadcast scattering of mines than at Britain’s seizure of contraband.

Sir Edward deprecated recourse to diplomatic remonstrances when the neutrals had a more effective mode of redress by appeal to the law courts.

LATE MAJOR-GENERAL KEKE-

WICH.

Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 18. The late Major-General Kekewich’s heirlooms include a greenstone guncarriage which was presented to him in South Canterbury.

(Major-General Robert George Keke. wich was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ist Battalion North Lancashire Regiment. He was born in 1854, and entered the army in 1874. He served in Jthe Malay Peninsula 1875-76 (ior which he received the medal end clasp), in the Nile expedition as D.A.A.G. and 0.M.G., (1884-85), ar.d was mentioned in despatches, with the rank brevet of Major, recei/ing medal, with clasp. He was also at Suakin as D.A.A.G. of British troops In 1888, with distinction!. In South Africa (1899.1902) he was again mentioned and promoted to Major General. He defended Kimberley from 15th October, 1899 to 16th February, 1900 (126 days).

WAR CORRESPONDENTS.

ARRANGEMENTS IN PROGRESS TO CO TO THE FRONT.

Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 18. *

, The Times, in a leader commenting on Sir John French’s despatch, says: “We trust no further obstacles will be raised regarding newspaper correspondents proceeding to the front under due restrictions; indeed, we believe such arrangements are already in progress.”

THE NOTE TO BRITAIN.

TEXT OF THE DECLARATION TO BE FORWARDED. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 18. The Press Bureau states that the American Ambassador a,t Berlin will forward the words of the Declaration. • •

MISCELLANEOUS.

London, February IS

The forty aviators returned safely

The Board of Trade announces that compensation is payable to all persons on British merchant ships injured owing to hostilities^. Mr Tenant, in the House of Commons, stated that there had been 9175 cases of frost-bite up to January,