The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-12-29
CALLS ON ENGLAND
TO LIFT EMBARGO
Efesident Wiiabn, in Firm Language.
Asks Better Treatment for
American Commerce.

WASHINGTON, Dec 29.-The United
States government yesterday despatched
long note to Great Britain insisting upon
an early improvement in the treatment of
American commerce by the British feet,
1t gave warning that much feeling had
been aroused in this country and that
public criticism WAS general over unwar
ranted interference with the legitimate
foreign trade Of the United States The
document constituting the strongest rep
resentation on this subject made by the
United States TO any of the belligerents
since the outbreak OF the war was cabled
to Ambassador Page to be presented form
ally to Sir Edward Grey, the British for
cign secretary. Its preparation was begun
a month ago by Solicitor Cone johnson,
Counsellor Robert Lansing and Secretary
Bryan and finally during the last two
weeks had the personal attention of Presi-
dent Wilson himself who revised its
Iphraseology with minute care
| As the detailed point of view of the
United States in numerous specific eases
| of detentions and seizures Of cargoes had
been set forth in a series Of emphatic pro-
| tests most of which have gone UNDECIDED.
tIodays communication was couched in
general terms covering the entire subject
| of the relations Between the United
States and Great Britain as affected By
the latter naval policy, considered highly
| objectionable by this. government.
| The note declares at the outset that the
/ Representations are made in a friendly
spirit, but that the United States consid-
lers 1t best to speak in tetms of frankness
| lest silence be construed as an acauies-
leence in policy on the part of Great
Britain which infringed the rights of
American citizens under the laws of ma
tions.
| Since France has adopted practically
| the same DEGREES On contraband as has
Great Britain YESTERDAYS note is virtually
statement intended f3r all the members
| of the triple entente
| The document POINTS ont that com
plants on every SIDE and public criticism
III the Cnited States hold the British pol
icy as directly responsible for the deDres-
sion in many American industries, sitna-
| ton the seriousness Of which must be ap-
parent to Great Britain. Reimbursement
alone for cargoes unlawfullv detained or
seized it states, docs not remedy tho evil.
as the chief difficulty is the moral effect
/ OF British practice on. American exporters
lwho are restrained by it from taking risks
or hazards which IN no case ought to sur
round legitimate trade between the Unit
led States and other neutral countries
Feeling has been aroused on The subject
Ito such an. extent, the communication
tadds that the American government feels
i compelled to ask for definite information
as to Great Britain'ss attitude in order
THAT it may take such measures as will
lprotect Amerfean citizens in their rights
The United States, it points out, was
lpatient at first, realizing that the unex-
Ipected outbreak of hostilities had heaped
"a mass OF burdens on the British govern
ment and thinking an early clearing o;
1.-THE arr would rome. Five months have
elapsed, the note asserts, with no i'm
provement in the situation.
Reserving Until some other date the dis
lcusslon of those articles which Great Brit
lain has taken from the generally accepted
lists OF noncontraband and placed on the
Hist of absolute and conditional contra
band, the AmericaR government declare:
THAT the British fleets haye been regarding
absolute and conditional eoonsri, aTa as il
the same class, thheTeas intset halionaf "a i,
defines absolute contaaband as isttin ., 9.
lthqse articles intended sdifp1t H. .foE Til5
: use of an army OF Navy, and eoilda eafnA
contraband, hose products tslsscs rft44,Ee 8
use by arTned&Ioreest hut whose destinS
ton must be the determining sfaetda n
!, idetentions. i a i 6
Taking mp, the subject OF 'dettqdntion O
American ships at sea, the WashFngtor
government states that It cannot toletat,
undue delays ii examining tRen1 or the
conveying of ships TO British, ports fsr de
tailed examination - ~
One OF the. moot .conspieuous Compliant,
'clted. IN the note is against the treatment
by Great Britain of American cdreoes d
"copper" 1t IS charged that. Great Britain
as not according the same treatment Il
American trade. with the. Scandinavia
Icountrles as TO commerce IN tins prodae,
between the United States and Italy un
der the same conditions of shipment. &