Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-29
Carefully Worded Document
ReclteS Grievance of United
States Over Interference
With Commerce,
DIPLOMATIC NOTE IS
UNUSUALLY SIGNIFICANT.
Great Britain Is Warned That
Policy Must Be Modified
Quickly Language Has No
Uncertain Note,

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Washington. Dee. 2S.-The United
States government today dispatched a
long note to Great Britain. insisting
on an early Improvement In the treat
ment OF American commerce hy the
British fleet. II gave warning that
much feeling had been aroused In
this country and that public criticism
was general over unwarranted inter-
ference with the legitimate foreign
trade OF the United states
strong Representation.
The document. constituting the
strongest representation on this sub
ieet made by tho United States to any
of the belligerents since the outbreak
OF the war. was cablcd 10 Ambassador
Page to be formally presented to Sir
Edward Grey. British foreign seere-
tnry. Its preparation was begun u
month ago by solicitor Cone john
son. Counsellor Robert Lansing and
Secretary Bryan, and finally had the
personal attention Of President viii
son. who revised It's phraseology with
minute care.
Former Protests unilccded.
As the detailed point OF view Of the
United States. In numerous specific
cases. of dctontions and seizures OF
cargoes. had been set forth In a Sc
ries Of emphatic protests. most of
which have gone unheeded. today's
communication was couched In gem
efal terms. covering the entire sub
iect of the relations between the Unit
nd states and fGrSat Britaln, % afE
feeted by the litter's naval policy,
which N considered highly objection
able by this government
While France has adopted prae-
tically the same dccrees on contra
Land as has Great Britain tuday's note
Is virtually a statement Intended for
all the members OF the triple en- .
tente.
Protest Strongly Worded.
The note declares at the outset that
the representations afo made In a
friendly spirit. but that the United
States considers II best to speak in
terms of frankness. lest silence be-
construed az an acqulescence IN q
policy which infringes the rights of
American citizens under the laws o.
nations.
The document points out that com
plants on every side and public fit
Ielsm IN the United States hold the
British policy as directly responsible
for the depression In many industries,
a situation the seriousness OF Nhich
must be apparent to Great Britain.
Reimbursement Not Enough.
Heimbursement alone for cargoes
detained or seized. II states.
does not remedy the evil. as the chief
difficulty is the moral sffect Of Brit
sh practice on American exporters. Z
who are restrained BY It from taltinF :
Ilsks or hazards which In no eaa
,ught TO surround legitimate trade be
ween the United States and 9th
Neutral countries. S<A
Feeling has been aroused on MI
iubiect to such an extent. the es,rs
adds, that the Amcri -
government feels compelled to ask
leflnlte information as to Great III
Tins attitude In order that IL nj
AXE such measures as viii protee
American citizens IN their rights.
Patience Is ESl,austed
The United States, 1t points out, /
fas patient nt first. rcalizng that the
outbreak Of hostlities had
Ieaped mass ~ burdens on tho
lritish government and thinking an
arly clearing Of the air would come.
I've months have now elapsed, the
ota asserts, with no Improvement In
he situation.
IN the meantime. American ship
ers have availcd themselves Of va
ious suggestions from the British
oyernment, such as shipping car
oes to definitely named consignees
, neutral countries, and the taking
ut Of certificates from eonsnla in this
ouptry, which followed promises of
be British foreign office that the al
ed fleets consequently described as
aving hardly improved after these
British, Policy HctnIIed
Reference ~ Andc IN the MOTT 10
nc high principles Of equity which
ave Hctuatcd Great Britain In her
In the past OF the free-
om of the seas 10 neutral commerce..
nd the hope IL expressed that even
loueh a belligcrent herself. she will
ialize the seriousness To the neutral
atoms OF continued intorference
Resefving untii some other date
le discussion OF those articles which
feat BritHin has taken from the
sneratly accepted lists OF non-eou-
al,and and pIaced on the lists OF
oaolute and conditional eontfaband,
ie American government declares
lai the British fleets have been re-
tfdng absolute and conditional con-
aband as In the same class. Nhere~
! international law defines absolute
,ntrahand as consisting az those ar
sles intended directly for the use OF
J army or navy. and conditional
'ntraband. those products susceptible
use by armed forces. but whose
astination must be the determining
ctor In defentlons.
Saiisbnry's Doctrine.
The American note, mentioning
at foodstuifs are conditional con-
aband since they may be destined
II the use OF civil population as
ell as an army. says the United
ates Is in entire agreement with
e doctrine expressed by Lord Sails