The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-12-31
Will Probably Take Weeks and Months Before
United States and England Finally
Come to an Agreement.
IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT QUESTION
Officialdom is Not Alarmed Over the Protest
From America, But Some Of the People
are Very Much Excited

LUnlteQ PreSS Leased W1ro SeTV1Ce.J
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-Many
weeks and probably months Will be
consumed In discussion between the
United States and Great Britain over
this governments shipping protest.
Immediate settlement of all questions
raised Is not expected. This was
stated today on high officials authori-
,ty.
First and early result confidently
expected by this nation Is that Great
Britain will agree to cease arresting
American vessels and conveying them
to English ports for examination OF
cArgoes unless good grounds exist
regarding their lontraband character.
Other questions are TO form the
basis Of prolonged discussion.
While the president has declared
that some OF the points raised are
mot debatable," being grievances
clearly established by precedents
made by Great Britain herself, there
are others which are certain to be
come subject to indefinite exchange
OF notes and conferences between the
uGbu6 u lu0 IWo AdtkSAD iAOtS AAAAtL ~
London. For months many OF the
topics have been discussed almost
daily at the state department between
British Ambassador Spring-Rice and
department officials. 1t was declared
today that the question OF revising
England's contraband list would be
the bone Of lengthy contention.
Many el1minations will be demand
ed. Officials privately pointed out to-
day that one Of the chief effects
though not the purpose-of the pro
test to Great Britain would be to re
store confidence everywhere in the
world, especially in Germany, that
the United States is really neutral in
the Strictest sense of the word
1t would go long way, one official
explained, towards dissipating the
growing impression that the United
States was too friendly towards the
allies because of the restrained ship
ment of arms and ammunition from
the United States to the allies.
Making up Report.
DY hScIl, OnltCu TTcSb Stdn
Correspondent
LONDON, Dec. 31.-The admiralty
has prepared for the foreign Office
complete report of the operations OF
all ships which have been held up or
diverted into port, vessels carrying
goods from the United States. In
every instance the reason assigned for
the action is given. Specific allega-
tions of irregular manifests and OF con.
traband are cited and 1t is expected
this document will prove very es-
sential factor in completing the an
swer of Great Britain to Presid ent
Wilson's demands.
The situation is still considered the
most serious development Of the war
to date, outside OF the actual lighting.
There is a strong minority In England
that seems anxious to seize upon the
action OF the United States as evidence
that it is pro-German, and Of the de-
velopments. especially those outside Of
London, are urging the government to
the United States that it will mot be
permitted to coin money out Of Eng
lands necessities"
Officialdom generally however. be-
lieves that a way will be found out Of
the matter that will be satisfactory to
both sides. The best experts on in
ternational law have been called into
consultation with the foreign office
and the high law officers Of the crown.
including the attorney general and the
solicitor general They will pass up
on each individual contention raised
by the United States. 1t Is also the
intention of the foreign office to dis