Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
L. S. PROTEST NOTE
NOW in HANDS OF
BRITISH CABINET
Special Session Held to Con-
slider American Com
munication.
REPLY NOT EXPECTED
FOR SEVERAL DAYS
Ambassador Page Will Be Asked
to Confer With Sir Ed
ward Grey.
STILL MoNopoLIzEs INTEREST
Opinion Generally Expressed That
Matter VIII BE Alhicably
Adjusted.

TENDON. December 3O.-The British
4 Cabinet met In special session to-day
10 consider the American governments
2 protest against delay to American ship
ping caused by the searching OF YES
sells by the British fleet.
The note reached the Foreign Of
fce yesterday. but II is not ex-
pected reply will be drafted for sew
eral days 1t Is pointed out that
document which took weeks to draft.
hardly could be digested n one Cabinet
meeting. sir. Edward Grey scarcely
had time to read. much less to con-
slider the note. before the meeting OF
his colleagues.
The Cabinet Will seek information
AZ the admiralty. which department is
responsible for the examination OF
ships carsoes. Foreign Office officials
and the law officers of the crown. too.
VIII be called upon for diplomatic and
legal opinions.
When. this procedure Is adopted,
American Ambassador Page will he
asked to discuss the whole question
with Sir Edward Grey. and Sir Cecil
Spring Rice. the British Ambassador at
Washington. probably will he instruct
ca 10 take up the question with the
American state Department Mr.. Page
iras not yet received any intimatIon
as to the date for his conference with
Sir Edward Grey.
PROTEST CONFINES
w
The protest continues to monopolize
interest here. While IL has come as
somewhat OF shock to the public
that differences have arisen between
the TWO governments on 4 subject that
Z admittedly is a difficult one. the note
generally Is calmly discussed, except
oy those who declare that Great Brit
ain should disregard American wishes
and, tolioW q policy best calculated to
assist the'a1lies tn tho war. 80
british shipowners, who are almost
as greatly concerned over the situation
as Americans, to-day expressed the
opinion that the matter would be
nmicably settled. The director of one
large company, admitting inconveni-
cnce was inevitable IN the searching OF
ships. said II was possible some Of
thls Inconvenience might be obviatcd.
Frank discussion of the note by Brit
ish officials shows they. regard 1t as
friendly. and do not believe the diff
culties between America and Great
: Britain are such that cannot be recon
friled satisfactorily.
\ Much depends upon the effective ef
%Aft by Denmark, Holland. Norway and
S<Teden to prevent rcshipment to Ger
my and Austria Hungary of Amer
icai. cargoes. Until watertight regu-
latio. are put in force in those coun-
tries. tie hope. IL is understood, is
held out by Great Britain for relax
alton In searching American cargoes
NOT STOPPING SHIPS
DESTINED FOR ITALY
One official. pointed out that Ital;,
had effectively checked contraband
shipments to Austria Hungary and
Germany, with the result that Great
Britain was not stopping ships destined
Tor Italy unless there appeared special
reason to suspect fraudulent consign-
ments.
guarantee by the United States as
10 the honesty OF consignment bills and
enactment Of regulations for severe
punishment OF fraud. granting; that the
American government could find salts
factory means of making such guar
antee. was admitted by the official as
n possible step which might cause a
relaxation of search.
British officials call attention to the
lenient attitude adopted by their gov
4 ernment toward American cotton,
which they say might easily be re-
garded as contraband, but which has
not been so listed. They say such
leniency. however. has been abused by
shippers who used 1t to conceal con-
traband
we have no right to feel aggrieved
because the American endcavors to
mitigate the losses which the war in
hicts on the merchants and manu-
facturers of that country" saws the
Westminster Gazette. which. more than
any other newspaper. reflects the gov
ernment's views. 1t contends that 1t Is
to the interests of neutrals as well as
heliiScrents to shorten the war, and
that. therefore, neutrals should submit
to any reasonable restrictions which
are likely to have that effect.
COMMERCE OF NEUTRALs
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
Stating that the right OF search Is
conceded In the American note, the
Westminster Gazette admits that the
right should be exercised with all pos
sible regard to the convenience or
neutrals.
1t suggests it would be well for the
British government to supply daily to
the American ambassador a list of
ships stopped, with n statement of the
reasons therefor, so that questions
arising in this connection might be
adjusted at once. Similar Information
might be given to American newspaper
minister Gazette says 1t feels sure that
instructions Will be given to avoid de-
tcntion Of ships on mere suspicion. and
that If such searches as can be con-
Quoted at sea fail to reveal good
ground for forcible detention, such ac-
tiOn VIII not be rcsorted to-
To prevent Great Britain from check
ing, shipment Of copper to Germany
would, in effect. be American interven-
tion on the side of Germany, the news
paper contends. 1t absolves Washing
ton from any such intention. and points
out that II the difficulties are faced In
spirit OF fairness, the two govern
ments, by friendly agreement, will be
.Ssells4 (Continued on Second Page)
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