Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 92, 15 November 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

THE AMERICAN NOTE. REPLY TO "BLACK LIST" PRO- * TEST. VISCOUNT GREY STATES BRITAIN’S RIGHTS. REMOVING SUSPICIONS. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and Reuter. (Received 9.40 a.m.) Loudon, November 14.

Replying to tlie American Note protesting against the “black list’’ as an arbitrary interference with neutral trade. Viscount Grey reiterates that the prohibition of trade applies only to British subjects and is indisputably within Britain’s rights. Replying to the feat's that it is possible there might be an unwarranted expansion of the system, Viscount Grey points out that every addition to the list restricts British commercial opportunities; therefore, Britain’s in terest is to confine Hie list to the utmost, but it is notorious that many firms in neutral countries have been active agents in the German espionage propaganda, have supplied the German cruisers, and have organised and paid miscreants to destroy tae ships and factories’supplying the Allies. It has been suggested that the military position now is such that nothing happening in distant neutral countries can affect the result. Viscount Grey wishes it were so, but still there is a long bitter struggle ahead, and the possible inconvenience to Neutrals is incomparable for the moment to the suffering and loss occasioned to mankind by the prolongation of the war. even for a week. Britain was fully entitled to refuse hunker coal to ships carrying "foods to black-listed firms, especially in view of Germany’s efforts to reduce the world’s tonnage, rendering necessary a reserve of British coal for possible British'trade. Between Ist June and 00th September, The enemy submarines sunk 262 vssels, whereof 65 were Neutrals. He quotes precedents in the American civil war as justifications for the British action, ami trusts the explanations given will remove the suspicions and erroneous views prevailing in the United States,

AWARDS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received 12.40 p.m.) London, November 14. Distinguished Service Order awards include Captain Starnes, a New Zealander. Five New Zealanders receive Military Medals and two New Zealanders Distinguished Conduct Medals.