Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-29

} The President added that the not4
of protest Was not based on any treas
ties between the United States and
Great Britain. but on the generally
accepted principle OF Internal tteua1
Es--f.u biication Of the substance ok
the American note this morning
created widespread interest IN the
capital.
Foreign diplomats, especially ttosa
from neutral countries, discussed Il
and members Of Congress. who had
protested to the State department on
behalf of merchants and shippers OF
copper, -four. wheat, foodstuffs. cot
ton and other products IN which trade
has been restricted, expressed their
satisfaction with the attitude OF this
government.
Some administration officials ex-
pressed the view that when Great
Britain realized the extent OF public
opinion on the subject IN the United
States her attitude would be modified
and American industries hitherto
halted would go forward.
Official Washington awaited with
much interest the outcome of the ex
pected conference In London today
between Ambassador Page ana Sir
Edward Brey. the British foreign
secretary, for the presentation Of the
note from the United States. insiss
| ing that the legitimate commerce Of
this country should not be undulT
molested by the British fleet.
The communication, prepared bE
President Wilson and his advisors In
the state department, reached Londcn
today and was regarded here as the
strongest representation on the sub
ject of commerce made by the unitec
States to any belligerent since the
outbreak of war.
In view Of the important principles
laid down in the note, it was expected
to have a far-reaehing effect on the
! attitude of other neutral countries
toward the general subject of contra
band Some diplomats thought /
might hasten the calling OF the con-
/ ference of neutrals proposed by Vene-
4 zuela to revise rules OF international
law for the protection OF neutral coHis
merce.
! The note was rot the result, It is lls
derstood, OF any particular violatiop
/ by Great Britain OF what Washington
/ considers its commerce rights. but
was Intended as a protest against ti1t
| general attitude of the British gov
ernment, to which France has pra
I tically adhered, in the treatment q
neutral cargoes.
/, situation Grows Worse.
The document points out thai tht
United States was patient in the EARN
days Of hostIlities, realizing the war
had burdened the British foreign Office
with serious problems. 1t declares
that with the passing Of five months
however, the situation has grow
worse.
Administration officials realize ih2
many millions of dollars in claims arr.
accommodating against the British gov
ernment, but the note sets forth tlaat
/ reimbursements alone do not cure the
tically intimidated and fear to embark
4 upon legitimate export trade
The American note declares the re-
| lations between neutral countries ara
| those OF peace and normal times, and
| not of war. The words absolute OF
conditional contraband" In the view
of the American government. there
fore, should not exist. The United
States insists that the facts proving
that a hostile destination Is intended
| must be shown at the time OF q YES
sells seizure. 1t claims that the pre-
sumption of guilt should not rest Oh
the shippers in neutral commerce, but
that the burden OF proof should ha
placed on the belligerent- Similarly Il
cargo consigned TO order" that ~
sent to no specific consignee, in a r
tral country. Is not OF itself a susp
cious circumstance, according to tlIe
contention of the American note
Attitude ON ContrAbaDd.
The American government nlaits
tains that the belngerent may exc
else the right Of search. but cannpf
divert q neutral ship to a beligerer.
port for further examination, unlce4
proof Is shown at the time Of deten-
ton of hostile destination OF ths
cargo.
One of the most far-reaehing pDinss
tcontLnasa en- kaxs q ceznnzn ~