Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 79, 7 April 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

THE AMERICAN NOTE. REMARKABLE FRIENDLY TONE. United Press Association. London, April 5. Mr Page, the American Ambassador, handed to Sir Edward Grey the American Note, emphasising that it is made in the most friendly spirit and in accordance with the uniform candour characterising the relations between the British and American Governments for a hundred years. The Note points out that the unprecedented feature of the blockade is that it bars many neutral ports as though they were ports of Britain’s enemies. The United States’ notes with gratification that wide discretion has been afforded the Prize Courts, and confidently expeetts that the powers given by Order-in-Council will he restricted by orders to the executive officers which will modify in practical application those provisions which interrupt neutral legitimate trade.

PECULIAR POSITION OF NEUTRALS. BRITISH PRINCIPLES QUESTIONED. London, April o. Mr Page, in his Note, points out a novel feature of Britain’s blockade in placing neutrals under the same suspicion as an enemy. This is a distinct invasion of the sovereign rights of the United States, which is not oblivious of the great changes in the conditions of naval warfare since the blockade rules were formulated, but whatever form of blockade is adopted it should be easily practicable to provide a passage through the cordon without conflicting with belligerents’ rights. If the course pursued by Britain’s enemies proves tainted with illegality and disregard of the principles of war sanctioned by enlightened nations, the United States does not suppose that Britain will taint her acts or justify them by similar practices. 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. The belligerents had already been conceded the right of search, and capture is cargo is contraband.

The Note assumes that Britain will not deny the right to transport innocent shipments to and from the United States through neutral countries to belligerent territory. Hitherto Britain has not questioned these lights. For America to admit such interference would ho an un-neutral act towards Britain’s enemies. If Britain made such a claim it would he equivalent to setting at nought the principles for which she has consistently contended in the past. PRESS COMMENT. London, April 6. The press cordially welcomes the Note, and comments on its friendly tone.

The Daily Telegraph says the suggestion concerning the passage of the cordon will doubtless receive attention. The Daily Chronicle says the Allies could not, yithout destroying their policy, perfit non-contraband to reach Germany through neutrals. THE DRINK PROBLEM. PROHIBITION IN ROYAL HOUSEHOLD. London, April 6. The King has directed the immediate banishment of wines, spirits, and beer from the Royal Household, CHANCE IN THE DRINKERS’ HABITS. London, April 6. Excise returns show that in December and January, as compared with the corresponding months of the previous year, brewage decreased by 1,800,000 barrels. Distillation of spirits increased by 269,000 gallons. Unofficial returns show that the March consumption of beer had fallen almost at the same rate, but there was a still larger increase in spirit drinking. The heavy war tax is held to be responsible for the change in drinking habits. WORKERS KEEN FOR THE EMPIRE. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, April 6. The workers at the shipyards and munition factories at Tyneside returned after the holidays with remarkable punctuality. This is attributed to the King’s and Kitchener’s appeals. TO LABOR’S SHAME.. PROPOSAL TO CALL TRUCE WITH THE ENEMY. PROTEST AGAINST M.P’S. AS RECRUITING AGENTS. (Received 12.35 p.m.) London, April 6. The Independent Labour Party’s Conference at Norwich closed with a proposal that a true be arranged with Germany with a view to settlement. This was loudly applauded, and a resolution was carried protesting against the Labour .members of the House of

Commons assisting the recruiting campaign. KITCHENER’S FIRM HAND. (Received 12.35 p.m.) London. April ti. The Press Bureau states that Lord Kitchener lias appointed a committee to take steps to secure that the supply of munitions of war will be sufficient for all requirements.