SIR EDWARD GREY'S PERTINENT REPLY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8340, 6 January 1916, Page 6

SIR EDWARD GREY'S PERTINENT REPLY.

Sir Edward Grey's Memorandum to Dr. Page, American Ambassador to Britain, states: — "The British Government note with satisfaction, though with some surprise, the Gorman anxiety that the principles of civilised warfare shall be vindicated. It is evident that to single out the case of the Baralpng is the height of absurdity. The British Government suggest that the whole question of atrocities on land and sea might be fitly examined by an impartial tribunal. As tho very multitude of the allegations against Germany would overload the tribunal, the enquiry might be confined to three incidents which occurred within a few hours of the Baralong allegations." The Memorandum continues: "Britain does not accept the German allegations as true, but, in any case, the charge is negligible as compared with the crimes which seem to be. deliberately committed by German officers. "Within 48 hours of the attack on the Nicosian, a German submarine torpedoed the Arabic, and made no effort to save her crew. Forty-seven non-combatants lost their lives by this act <jf barbarism, The second incident was that of a German destroyer which fired on a stranded British submarine on the Danish coast. When the crew of the submarine attempted to swim ashore the destroyer fired- on them. Forty-eight hours later a German submarine fired shrapnel at the British steamer Ruel, ono man being killed and eight wounded. No statement has been offered by the German Government justifying this cold-blooded and cowardly outrage." The Memorandum concludes: "These incidents might, with the case of the Baralong, be brought before an impartial court, say, of officers of the American Navy. Britain will do all in her power to further sHch an enquiry, and carry out the findings of the con''+- »

"It is unnecessary to reply to the suggestion that the British Navy hasbeen guilty of inhumanity. The number of German sailors rescued from drowning during the war amounts to 1150. The German Navy can show nn such record —perhaps through want of opportunity."

The Baralong is a steamer of 4192 tons . gross register, owned by the Ellerman and Bucknall^S.S. Goippany, Ltd. •' In August, 1:914,"' she :■■ was* commissioned its an auxiliary cruiser,- her master and 1? officers being given commissions in ;the Royal „"Navy Reserve. She is commanded by Lieutenant George Swinney, R.N.R. - The Nicosian' is a steamer of 6369 tons gross register, owned by Messrs F. Leylandand Co., Ltd.. of Liverpool, and commanded by Captain C. J. H. Manning. Several of Messrs Leyland. and Co.'s steamers, including the Armenian and To'rian. have been sunk by German submarines.