London, Feb, 17.
Sir Edward Grey's final reply to the American Note of December 28 has been published. It elaborates the arguments advanced in the preliminary reply and emphasizes that the distinction between foodstuffs destined for civilian population and those destined for armed forces disappears when the distinction between ths civil population and the armed forces disappears, Germany. However much is imported for civil use it is by the military that it will be consumed if military exigencies require, especially now that the German Government has assumed control of all foodstuffs, The reply concludes: " While we will endeavour to avoid injury to neutrals, Germany's intention to sink merchantmen with their cargoes without verifying nationality and character without providing for the safety of their crews, makes it necessary for His Majesty's Government to con-idea measures to protect their interests. It is impossible if one belligeront departs from rules and precedents for the other to remain bound by them."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.