Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-29
UNCLE SAM COMPLAINS
Emphatic Demand that England
Change Attitude to American Com

Emphatic Demand that England
Change Attitude to American Com
merce.
Washington, December 28.-The
United States today dispatched a long
note to Great Britain insisting on an
early improvement in the treatment OF
American commerce by British fleets.
1t warned England that such feeling
had been aroused in this country and
unwarranted interference with the le-
gitimate foreign trade Of the United
States. The document, constituting
the strongest representation on the
subject made by the United States to
any Of the belligerents, was cabled to
Ambassador Page, to be formally pre-
sented to Sir Edward Gray, the Brit
ish foreign secretary. Its preparation
was begun a month ago by Solicitor
Cone Johnson, Counselor Robert Ian
sing and Secretary Bryan, and during
the last two weeks had the personal
attention Of President Wilson, who
revised its phraseology with minute
care.
Cites Cases.
AS the detailed point Of view of the
United States in the numerous specific
cases Of detention and seizures Of car
goes had been set forth in series OF
emphatic protests, most Of which have
gone unheeded. today's communica-
ton was couched in general terms
covering the entire subject Of the re-
lations between the United States and
Great Britain as affected by the lat
ter's naval policy, considered highly
Objectionable to this government.
The note declares at the outset that
the representations are made in a
friendly spirit, but the United States
considers 1t best to speak in terms OF
frankness, lest silence be construed as
an acquiescence to policy Of Great
Britain which infringes the rights of
American citizens under the laws Of
the Nations.
Since France has virtually adopted
the same policies on contraband as
Great Britain. today's note Is state
Triple Entente.
The document points out that COM
plants on every side and public criti-
cism in the United States hold the
British policy as directly responsible
for the depression in many American
industries. Reimbursement alone for
cargoes unlawfully detained or seized,
1t states, does not remedy the evil, as
the chief difficulty is the moral ef-
feet on American exporters who are
restrained from taking risks or haz-
ards which in no case ought to SUI.
round legitimate trade between the
United States and other neutral coun-
tries.
Feeling Aroused.
Feeling has been aroused on the
subject to such an extent, the COM
munication adds, that the American
government feels compelled to ask
for definite information as to Great
Britain's attitude in order that 1t may
take such measures as would protect
American citizens in their rights.
The United States, 1t points out,
was patient at first, realizing that
hostilities had heaped a mass Of bur-
dens on the British government and
thinking an early adjustment of the
situation would come. Five months
have elapsed, It asserts, with no i'm
provement in the situation. In the
meantime, American shippers have
availed themselves of various sugges-
tions from the British government,
such as shipping cargoes to definitely
named consignees in neutral coun-
tries and taking out Of certificates
from consuls in this country whics
followed promises of the British for
eign Office that the allied fleets conse-
quently would cease detentions OF
these cargoes. The situation, how
ever, Is described as having hardly
improved after these concessions.
Reference is made in the note to
the high principles of equity which
have actuated Great Britain in her
championship in the past Of the free
dom Of the seas to neutral commerce,
and the hope is expressed that even
though q belligerent herself, she will
realize the seriousness to the neutral
Of continued interference.
Taking up the subject OF deten-
tions Of American ships at sea, the
United States government states that
II cannot tolerate undue delays in ex-
amining them or the conveying OF
such ships to British ports for detailed
examination. 1t argues that proof
Of hostile destination Of the cargo
must be in evidence at the time Of the
search at sea. The belligerent right
Of search, the note adds, is fully rec
ogniZed, but 1t cannot be extended to
the point Of diverting American ships
into British ports merely on suspicion.
The United States asserts, more
over, that it views with growing con-
Germ the QeleHtlOH VI SCOTSSs
can cargoes consigned from 3 coun-
try to neutral ports, contending that
it should be the duty of the belligerent
to protect neutral commerce and pre-
vent innocent merchants from suffer-
ing.
One of the most significant COM
plants cited in the note is against the
treatment by Great Britain Of Ameri-
can cargoes of copper. 1t is charged
that Great Britain is not according
the same treatment to American
trade in copper with the Scandina-
Wan countries as to commerce In this
product between the United States
and Italy under the same conditions
Of shipment. Even though the Ital-
ian government has proclaimed an
embargo on the expectation Of copper
from Italy to belligerent countries
similar to the embargo in force in
Norway. Denmark and Sweden, the
consignments of copper to Italy from
the United States are said to be held
up while those to the Scandinavian
countries are not molested.
Today's note follows in many i'm
portant points the argument then ad-
vanted by Germany that Great Brit
aims practice with respect to neutral
commerce was a distinct departure
from many previously accepted prin-
ciples of international law.