Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 22 February 1915, Page 8

Great Britain

FRESH GERMAN DEGREE.

REPLY BY SIR EDWARD GREY.

United Press Association. London, February 20

Sir Edward Grey states that the Biltish have just become aware of a fresh German decree of the oth February, ostensibly exempting imported grain and flour from the Government monopoly, apparently for the express purpose of embarrassing the proceedings against the Wilhelmina. The effect of this decree on the question of contraband can best bo investigated by the Prize Court.

Germany publicly claims to treat all English east coast towns as fortified places and bases for operations, thereby justifying the bombardment of Yarmouth, Scarborough, and Whitby; also

the seizure of neutrals carrying contraband to the east coast.

The Karlsruhe similarly sank tho Dutch vessel Maria, carrying grain for Dublin and Belfast. Germany cannot have it both ways. If such acts aro justified, Britain a fortiori is justified iu similarly treating Hamburg, whither the Wilhelmina was bound. 'Ho reiterates Jiis assurance that the owners of the vessel and cargo will be indemnified; Regarding flags, he points out that American passengers requested the Lusitania, when American boundj to hoist the American flag. The Government had not advised the company how to meet the request. Britain permits a foreigner, to use the British flag in war time to avoid capture, and it is unreasonable to expect that Britain will forbid her merchantmen to use foreign flags. This would be especially unreasonable when Germany intends to piratically sink at sight. American vessels used British flags during the Civil War, and it would be contrary to fair expectation if, when conditions, were reversed, American neutrals were to grudge British ships similar facilities. The Government. does not intend to advise British merchantmen to use foreign flags as a general practice, or to resort thereto except to escape capture or destruction. If a belligerent fulfils the universally recognised obligation to examine a ship before capture, a fortiori before destroying the use of neutral flags by British will not endanger neutrals. Britain holds that neutrals can only suffer because that obligation is disregarded. The sole responsibility rested with the enemy Government. Britain had not declared foodstuffs absolute contraband. In accordance with civilised principles civilians should not be treated similarly to combatants, but the novel German doctrines abolish the distinction. Sir Edward Grey instances the treatment of civilians in Belgium and the North of France, the indiscriminate mining of the North Sea, the killing of defenceless English men, women and children by warships and airships and the recent torpedoeing at sight. Britain cannot be expected to be bound by rules which Germany defies. The memorandum concludes: “If Britain declares food absolute contraband, or otherwise takes reprisals, the Government trusts that neutrals will not appeal on the ground of international usages, so long as neutrals cannot compel Germany to abandon illegal and inhuman methods.’’