New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-30
EXPECTS BRITAIN
TO DEFEND ACTS
Washington Thinks Reply
Will Cite Dishonesty of
Some Shippers.

Washington, Dec. %. The American
note to Great Britain insisting on fan
treatment of American shipping will
it is expected here, bring about al
once, through a speedy interchange OF
views with the British government, a
better understanding with regard to
the rights Of nsutrals In the present
war The note furnishes a general
enunciation Of the American position
better than the series of notes which
preceded it, in the opinion Of diplo-
mats and officials of the administration.
Several times American ships have
been seized on the high seas and de-
tanned for longer or shorter periods.
President Wilson made it plain to-day
that American commerce has got 70 re-
ceive better treatment from Great Bri-
tain, and he supplemented the note by
the declaration that eventually Great
Britain would be called upon to pay
large damages for the unlawful deten-
tion of American cargoes.
In numerous instances the United
States government has made it clear to
Great Britain that her action in hold
ing up American commerce unduly was
an iufracton Of the rights of the
United States as neutral nation. The
present note combines the force Of
these previous memoranda of objection
in a single state paper, Therefore
Great Britains obligation TO make
general reply covering her position as
10 the whole question has become man
datory. The reply is expected within
a few days.
Counsellor Robert Lansing, who is
acting Secretary Of State in the ab-
sence Of Secretary Bryan, told inquir-
ers that the note made 1t sufficiently
plain that a reply was expected with
but he insisted that it was
not peremptory in its tenor.
Will Criticise American Shippers.
II is we'll known that in the British
reply the position will be taken that
the halting of ships on the high seas
and the searching Of cargoes in ships
Of American or other neutral registry
would not be necessary st all If the
American shippers had been dealing
fairly with their own government and
observing entire sincerity, not to say
honesty, in their preparation of man
TESTS
The reply will point out instances in
which bills Of lading for American
,argoes have not contained all Of the
articles actually in the holds Of the
The British expect TO show
hat the articles left of the lists are
n the classes nterdcted As contrabsnd
IF war.
They will show, for example, that
copper metal has been painted TO repre-
sent pig iron and so manifested and
shipped, and that rubber, which Is con
raband OF war, has been shipped under
the general name OF gum"
II will be charged that in one in
,tance a shipmen. Of cotton In bales
vas shown 20 be bales Of cotton with
amount OF copper inside
The British will also show that chemi- 1
.als in bulk, suitable for use in the
Of explosives. have been +
hipped as innocuous chemicals falsely 4
iamed in the bills Of lading.
These and similar infractions OF i
What the British will term the spirit .
4 fair business dealing will be cited in .
Justification OF the seizures. This is
expected by the State Department and /
L the White House. President Wilson I
vent 50 far to-day as TO utter warn
ng to American shippers TO play fair
rom now on n they expect 10 reap
genuine benefit from the forceful ac-
ION of the administration.
The White House statement is TO the |
Go.,t,u.a AN na.s raIuu,,