NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15174, 12 January 1915, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Whilo it n framed in a completely friendly tone, the interim reply of Sir Edward Grey to the American Note of protest against British interference with neutral shipping carrying cargoes from the United States to Europe, exhibits a refreshing candour which should go far towards clearing the ground of any misunderstandings that have arisen respecting Britain's belligerent rights. The Note set out that Britain's present policy exceeded the manifest necessity of belligerents, and constituted restrictions on American citizens' rights on the high se.vs that wore not justified by the rules of international law, or required under the principle of self-pre-servation. The Note further declared that belligerents ought not xo interfere with commerce between neutrals, unless there was imperative* necessity to protect national safety, and then only to the extent of that safety.

Sir Edward Grey's reply combats the statement that there i> increasing belief, doubtless not entirely unjustified, tluii Britain's present policy towards American trade i.s responsible for the depression in certain industries dependent upon Kuropean markets, by pointing o"t that the war hnd materially affected the spending power of neutral countries in Europe. Britain, he says, is prepared to admit that foodstuffs shall not bo interfered with if they are intended for neu'.ral countries, luit he is unable to give an unconditional undertaking in view of the enemy's departure from the accepted rules of civilisation and humanity, and the uncertainty about such rules being violated in future.

After pointing out that Americas prohibition of tie publication of .ships' manifests for thirty days has increa&ed the difficulty of detecting contraband, I Sir Edward Groy states frankly that the British Government will gladly enter into an arrangement to avoid mistakes and recompense neutrals promptly for the improper detention of ships and their cargoes. The reply states that it is imperative that Britain shall stop copper shipments not genuinely destined to neutrals. Sir Edward Grey says that the Government has positive ! evidence that four shipment* of copper J consigned to Sweden wero destined for I Germany, and he is unable to believe that tho United States Trill question the propriety of taking these, suspected cargoes to the Prize Court. •

There is ample evidence that Britain's position has been matio more difficult by the methods of deception adopted* by American shippers. President Wilson admitted this -when ho remarked that ho would Ue able to deal confidently, in the matter of contraband only if ho was supported by absolutely honest manifests. Great embarrassment had been caused, he said, because somo shippers had concealed contraband in cargoes of non-comrab.ind articles. Sir Ed-ward Groy points out that tho British trovernir.'ent placed covton on tRe free list. yet. it had received information that ships chartered to carry cotton had been *.perialhr selected to carry concealed contraband. It wa« essential to bring to port all vessels suspected of carrying contraband, and Sir Edward Grey affirms tho intention of the Government to examine all such suspootod vessels. The reply eraphasisess the growing danger of neutral countries contiguous to the enemy becoming bases of supplies to the enemy. a:ul asserts that the British Government will make every endeavour to prevent iTiis danger by intercepting ge<xls intended for tho enemy without interfering with thoso of bona lido neutrals.

The bombardment of which chiefly resulted in groat to tho beautiful oathodral of Notre Damo St. Gervais and St. Protais. is another manifestation of the savage spirit of German '•culture. - ' Tho cathedral was begun in tho second half of the J 2th century au<l finished about the end of the 13th. It is 32S foot lonsi and 87 teet wide, and tho vaulting of the nave is 100 foot above the pavement. The single tcwer. which has probably l>een destroyed, dates from tho middle of the llltli oenturv. nnd is a fairly <T<v>rl imitation of those of Notre -✓amenf Paris, which it equals in heirrht CJI6 feet). The south transect \s the oldest and most graceful portion of tho whole building. The choir is .surrounded with eight square chapels, and tho anse with five large polygonal chapels, of which the three in tho middle, a;- well :>#. the high windows of the choir, still retain their fine 13th century crb'ss, tlmt i.->. unless the German shells have de; molished them. The rose window of the north transept represents the life of the Virgin in twelve medallions. Soisßons is remarkable for the numerous beautiful bnildintrs. rhieflv eerlnsi.'Wtical. of tho 12th and 13ih" centuries. Considerable remains existed of the •magnificent abh*»v of S+. .T»an dcs v.-hore Thomas h Beckett resided for a time, which mis rebuilt in the 13th oontiir , -: these included the ruins of cloisters, the refectory, and. above all. the cathedral-liko facade of tho ohureh, which was restored a few years ago.