The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-27
GREAT BRITAIN IS
 ANXIOUS ID GIVE
 SECURITY ID TRADE
Ambassador Spring Rice Outlines Country's Atti- tude Toward Commerce
 of Neutral Countries

Wsshington oetYbaSS 2s, Great Britain in two notes presented today to the state department by the British ambassador Sir Cecil spring-Rice, de- fined her attitude toward commerce be- tween neutral countries as one of rigii endeavor to give every security possible in the interest of free and undisturbed trade. The documents contributed n general pronouncement of British poi icy on the subject of eontraband
 The essential points in the British altitude are:
 American shippers should take pre- caution to show the exact destination of their goods. mentioning either a specific consignee or neutral gov ernment in bills of lading. Great Britain will be guided by the American doc Urine of continuous voyage or 'ultl- mate destination in respect to com merce between neutral countries m articles generally known as conditional contrahand. Absolute contraband, em- b-acing munitions of war. always is subject to seizure and examination when carried in neutral ships.
 Cotton Specially Mentioned
 Cotton, specifically mentioned as neither absolute nor conditional contra band, can be shipped In neutral ves- sels not only to neutral countries but to all belligerents without molestation.
 The announcement from London that the American tanker Bridilla had boer. ordered released at Halifax. N. s.. and that the Platuria, held on the coast # Scotland, similarly would be permitted to continue her voyage, cleared up ev- cry pending question on the subject of shipping which had arisen in the past week between the United States and Great Britain. In both cases the prin- ciple set forth in today's communica- tlons from the British ambassador were followed; namely. that on determining the exact destination of the cargo as neutral the vessels would not be held.
 Great Britain's decision not to raise the question of change of registry in either the case of the Brindilla or the rlaturia strengthened the belief of ad- minis tration officials that there would be no difficulty in this connection where the ownership of vessels which changed their flag was continuously American. AS yet there has been no tcst case of change from German 10 American registry where transfer from a German company to an Amer ican concern was involved. There have been several such transfers but in each case 1t is understood British consu;s have been satisfied that the transfer was of a bona fide character and have not recommended that the vessels be brought before prize court
 
 Pleased With Attitude
 The attitude of the British govern ment in these matters was regarded by the Washington administration as em- inently satisfactory assurances that cot ton cargoes would not be molested even when bound for belligerent countries being particularly welcome. As a result of these definite assurances Secretary McAdoc issued the following state nent tonight:
 There Is no reason why underwriters who cover marine and war risk insur nee should now hesitate to issue pol icies on cotton in neutral bottoms. so far as Great Britain is concerned. The bureau of war risk insurance of the treasury department is writing insur- ancc freely on cotton when carried in