New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-31
BRITISH CABINET
TAKES UP PROTEST
American Note Laid Be
fore Sir Edward Grey
and Colleagues.
ANSWER MAY BE
LONG DELAYED
Efforts of Scandinayians 10
Block Contraband important
Factor in the Case.

Factor in the Case.
London. Dec. 3O-The British Cabi-
net held a special session this after
noon 70 consider the American govern
ment's note concerning the delay 20
American shipping caused by the
searching OF vessels by the British
feet
Il is not expected that d reply 20
the note viii be drafted for several
days, it being pointed out that a docu-
ment which it took weeks to draft
could hardly be digested by the Cabi-
net al one meeting. Even Sir Edward
Grey, British Foreign Secretary who
returned 10 town to-day and found the
note on his desk, hardly had time TO
read, much less 10 consider 10 before
the meeting of his colleagues.
Besides this. information will have
to be sought az the Admiralty, which
department is responsible FOR the eE-
animation Of ships cargOes, and per
manent officials Of the Foreign Office
and law officers Of the Crown neces-
sarily will be called upon for diplo-
matte and legal opinions on the case
submitted by President Wilson.
When this procedure is adopted Wal
Ter Hines Page, the American Ambas-
sador. will be asked 10 confer with
Sir Edward Grey and discuss the whole
question. and probably Sir Cecil!
Spring Rice, British Ambassador at
Washington. will be instructed to take
up the matter with the State Depart
ment in the American capital Mr..
Page has not yet received any intima-
ton as to the date for his conference
with Sir Edward Grey.
General Discussion Calm.
While it has come as somewhat Of
shock TO the public that differences
have arisen between the two govern
ments on a subject that admittedly IS
a difficult one, the note generally is
calmly discussed, except by those who
declare that Great Britain should dis
regard American wishes and opinion
and follow entirely a policy which
would be best calculated TO assist the
Allies in their war on Germany and
Austria
British ship owners, who are almost
as greatly concerned over the sltua-
tion as the American shippers, eN-
pressed the opinion that the matter
would be amicably settled. The dlrec-
tor of one large company, while ad-
hitting that Inconvenience was IN
eyitable in the searching Of ships. SAID
il was possible that some Of this in
convenience might be obvated.
Sir Edward Grey conferred to-day
with David Lloyd George, Chancellor %
the Exchequer; Reginald Mckenna,
Secretary Of Home Affairs; Walter
Runciman, president Of the Board Of
Trade, and Sir Francis Hopwood, CIVIL
Lord Of the Admiralty, on the subject
of the American note. British officials
regard the note as friendly, and do not
believe the differences between America
and Great Britain are such that they
cannot be reconciled satisfactorily.
scandinavian Efforts Important.
Much depends upon the effective effort
BY Denmark, Holland. Norway and Swe-
den TO prevent the re-shipment TO Ger
many and Austria Hungary Of cargoes
received from the United States. Until
watertight regulations are put in force
in these countries little hope, II is un-
derstood is held out by the British
government for relaxation in the mat
ter Of searching American cargoes
One prominent British official pointed
out that Italy had effectively checked
cOntraband shipments TO Austria-Hun-
gary and Germany, with the result that
Great Britain was not stopping ships
destined for Italy unless there appeared
special reason TO suspect fraudulent
cCnsignments.
A guarantee By the United States as
TO the homes ty Of bills of consignment
and the enactment of strict regulations
for the severe punishment Of fraud,
granting that the American government
could find satisfactory means Of making
such a guarantee, is admitted by this
prominent official as possible step
which might cause relaxation in the
search Of American cargOeS.
British officials call attention TO the
lenient attitude adopted by their gov
eminent toward American cotton, which
they say, might easily be regarded as
contraband, because of its extensive
use in guncotton. but which has not
been put on the contraband list. They
say this leniency toward cotton, how
ever. has been abused By shippers, who
have used IL 70 conceal copper and
other contraband
According to reliable information
given TO Inc lIlDunc CORES poNutll'
to-day. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, British
Ambassador, called at the state De
partment i'm Washington at the very
outset of the war. He mentioned car
goes shipped in all innocence before
the war by American shippers not
knowing there were possibilities OF
hostilities. He officially Informed Sec.
rotary Bryan that in order 10 expedite
the release of these cargoes the Brit.
ish government had appointed a special
committee with "fuN powers" whicr
would pass on pending cargoes as eN'
peditiously as possible.
IL IS true that a committee was ap
pointed. It was headed by Bonar Law
and is known as the Bonar Law com
mittee. but IL is also true that vast
amour. Of these very oargoes belong
ing To Americans is still held here
80