Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-31
Washington Believes Difficult
ties viii Be Adjusted Salts
factQrIIy by Diplomatic
Agencies, ,*
GREAT BRITAIN HAS
NOT STATED POSITION
Cargoes From United States
to Be Carefully Selected to
See That ContraDand Goods.
Are Not Shipped,

Washington. Dec. ao.--WhiIe the
American note to Great Britain con-
cerning Interruptions of the COM
merce of this country continued today
10 absorb official Washington, there
was manifest a tone of confidence
that the numerous differences which
had arisen in the last five months.
eventually would be amicably adjust
ed. Already the discussion had turned
TO measures which the United states
could properly take in cooperation
with Great Britain to reduce to a
minimum the necessity for extended
search on the high seas. 1t became
known that agents of the treasury
department acting in cooperation
with the state department in one case
already had inspected a cargo Of cot
ton, which inspection had sufficed
the British embassy and facilitated
the progress of the shipment to it's
destination.
May Certify Cargocs.
The belief was held In official quar-
ters that mutual understanding
might be reached whereby legitimate
cargoes could be certified before
their departure from this country.
and thereby made immune from de-
tention.
High officials of the Washington
government were somewhat surpris-
ed that the American note has been
regarded as "brusque" in some Lon
don quarters, They said the British
cabinet which has II under considera-
Ition after single reading Of the
United States had spoken in the most
friendly spirit, though none the less
earnestly and emphatically on points
on which 1t considers Itself thorough
ly justified under the laws of ma
tions.
Nothing Peremptory In Note.
There is nothing of Il peremptory
character in the note, 1t is said, nor
is 1t phrased in tones of irritation.
but those who are familiar with its
contents say 1t Is a matter Of fact.
and frank statement OF the diffieul-
ties experienced by American ship
pers and the failure of the British
government to meet the various pro-
tests which have been made.
In all, IL became known today.
thirty American ships and eareoes,
their value totalling millions, h ne
been detained. The American itste
points out specifically, however tAatI
,... ~, l,, ,,.ants "a, .ra.,f,t.e d.,..w<..
alone cannot cure the situation as
the activity Of the British fleet has
restrained many exporters whose
business has become stagnant for fear
of the numerous technicalities and
risks involved in shipments.
With respect to cotton shipments.
the case OF one or two illegitimate
cargoes, it is recognized. has caused
the British government to suspect all
shipments The United States govern
ment has no evidence that there has
been contraband concealed In cotton
cargoes. but England has made two
specific complaints of It, Although
not vouching for or confirming the
charges the American government
has thought it advisable nevertheless.
TO issue warning that one fraudu-
lent shipment must produce embar-
rassment TO cargoes generally
Bryan's Genera. Statement.
Secretary Bryan, discussing the
note with callers today. declined TO
give any details He described 1t as q
general statement summarizing the
American position in several specific
cases. Those neutral diplomats Who'll
called to ask about the note were not
given q copy Of Il, but were informed
that the first newspaper report of it
was accurate. They were told that the
state department probably would not
deliver the text of the communica-
ton to foreign governments generally, |
as 1t still regarded the note as conf
DENTAL the American government
itself having not authorized its publi- |
cation in part or in while.
The general points on which the
note complains and which have been
the basis Of several specific protests
hitherto, are substantially as fol- |
lows:
Sohphiits stated.
l. American cargoes have been
searched on the high seas--a beIliger-
ent right that is not denied---but the
ships also have been diverted to ports
for further examination, cird}nm-
stance held not justified under Inter
national law unless full proof oil hos
tile destination IS presented att the
time. serie'is loss, especially td per-
shable goods, has resulted fron1 snch
delays in ships voyage.
2. Great Britain has regard y alb
solute and conditional contraI nd as
in the same class. The unders. <anding
in International law has bs r. that
contraband .neiudes fhor<