The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-30
England Divided
In VielUS on Note
BY ED. L. KEEN.

tStdf Correspondent United Press)
p, LONDON, Dec. 30.--Iondon Is
sharply divided into two factions to.
day as result OF the protest OF the
( United States against the right OF
search on the high seas. Official Eng
land accepts the protest In the friend
ly manner in which 1t was made. I'm
official comment places the action as
unfriendly and attributes II to Ger
man influence at Washington. Even
In official circles there Is disposition
TO contest the claims Of the United
States that Americas export trade has
been seriously interfered with by
Great Britain.
officials point out that the exporta-
I lions Of food stuffs and copper from
the United States have increased 300
per cent since the war broke out.
They say that other increases have
been smaller. but that the entire bal
ance OF the export trade shows a dis
tinct increase In contradiction to the
Wilson claim.
1t is believed, however, that the
matters in controversy will eventu-
ally be amicably settled. However,
English offlcialdom and the newspa.
pers generally declare that inasmuch
as Germany is to be starved out, there
must be no relaxation Of the efforts
OF the allies to prevent either ALSO
Lutte or conditional contraband reach.
ing her.
The chief question at issue. 1t Is
stated here, is an administrative one.
President Wilson's own admission
that there has been deception prac-
ticed by shippers through the issu-
ance OF false manifests and the con-
cealing OF contraband In non-contra-
band cargoes Is declared to Justify
England's insistence on the right OF
search. Therefore because under
modern conditions such search Is Inn
possible on the high seas, the only
method that can be followed Is to take
these vessels into the nearest British
port.
Oficials are hopeful that a method
will be found which will cause the
least irritation and prevent losses TO
honest American shippers.
The newspapers comment at length
on the American protest today. The
I'VE should bear In mind that
America has never adopted the silky
tone OF European diplomacy. We
should not show irritation at the
brusque wording OF the note and
should realize that there has always
been mutual good will between the
countries"
The Westminster Gazette says: I'VE
desire to do everything in our power
to mitigate the situation for neutrals.
Yet to prevent our checking contra
band traffic would be TO intervene on
the side OF Germany, and we are sure
that this lie not the intention OF the
American note"
The Evening Standard says: ut Is
Impossible to think that the presi-
dent OF the United States made this
protest In any spirit OF hostility"
The Evening News says: "The mat.
ter is largely one OF common sense.
| IL is unthinkable that two great
friendly nations would treat Il other
than I'm a common-sense way"
The one discordant note IL echoed
by the Globe which, in a lengthy edI.
torial, makes vitrolic attack upon
the United States.
The American government remain.
ed silent and unprotesting in the nee
OF the indefensible outrages in Bel.
GUM and against the violations OF the
provisions OF The Hague convention
and now the voice OF this great neu-
trail nation which seeks TO be the final
arbiter OF civilization, keeper OF the