ANOTHER SUMMARY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 44, 22 February 1915, Page 7

ANOTHER SUMMARY.

LONDON, 20th February. Sir Edward Grey states that the British are just aware of a fresh German decree of the 6th, ostensibly exempting imported grain and flour from Government monopoly, apparently for the express purpose of embarrassing the proceedings against the Wilhelmina. The effect of this decree on the question of contraband is best investigated by the' Prize Court. Sir Edward Grey proceeds: "There are other grounds for submitting the cargo to the Prize Court. Germany publicly claims that she is entitled to treat all English east coast towns as fortified places and bases of 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 the Dutch vessel Maria carrying grain for Dublin and Belfast. Germany cannot have it both ways. If such act 3 are justified, Britain is, a fortiori/ justified in similarly treating Hamburg, whither the Wilhelmina is bound." Sir Edward Grey reiterates the assurance that the owners of the vessel's cargo will be indemnified. Regarding neutral flags, Sir Edward Grey points out that American passengers requested the Lusitania, America-bound, to hoist the American flag. The Government did not advise the company how to meet the request. I " Britain permits a foreigner to use the British flag in war time to avoid capture. It would be unreasonable to expect Britain to forbid her merchantmen to use foreign flags, and especially unreasonable when Germany intends piratically to sing afc sight. American vessels used j British flags during the Civil War. It | would be contrary to fair expectation if, when the conditions are reversed, America and other neutrals should 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 deI struction. If the belligerent fulfils the universally recognised obligation for examination before capture, a fortiori, and before destroying, the use of neutral flags by the" British will not endanger neutrals. Britain holds that neutrals suffer because this obligation is disregarded, and the sole responsibility is upon the vessel of the Government which disregards it. Britain has not declared foodstuffs absolute contraband. In accordance with civilised principle, 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 torpedoing at sight. " Britain," says Sir Edward Grey, "cannot be expected to be bound by rulea which Germany defies." He concludes: "If Britain declares food absolute contraband, or otherwise takes reprisal, the Government trusts that neutrals will not appeal to international usages so long as the neutrals cannot compel Germany to abandon her illegal and inhuman methods "