The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-12-31

money out OF the necessities OF bellIger'
ents. The American government, in e..
feet, demands that we should renounce
In the interest of American profits. cuI
most potent weapon against our enemy;
that we should raise the blockade again Il
our enemy's supplies. The demand may
be made in the fTiendliest spirit but
there is only one possible answer, in the
friendlest spirit: No"
The Evening Standard says:
1T Is unlikely. despite the American
note, that the British policy will under
go any material change"
Administration officials yesterday
found much cause for qualification in
the reports of the extent TO which the
attention of the British government
and public was comma nded by the pub
LEGATION OF the substance OF the Ameri-
can note to Great Britain on the sub
ject of the latter's interference with
neutral trade.
From the beginning of the war. both
President Wilson and his advisers have
counted largely on world opinion as a
restraining influence upon the bellig-
erents.' 1t is known that the American
note to Great Britain, though written
solely for the defense of United States
interests, voices the sentiments OF
other neutral governments and Is
heartily. though unoficially. Endorsed
by them.
The extensive comment transmitted
from London yesterday. and the serious
and likewise friendly tone OF this COM
ment. convinced officials here that the
position Of the United States in relation
TO the other neutral interests is FULLY ap-
preciated in England. and that the re-
% 81 81.
fact into account The administration is
confident that not even England at war
can successfully disregard the adverse
views OF practically all the neutral gov
crnments OF the world which have any
trade interests with Europe
The smaller neutral countries, pl-tlcu-
larry those adjacent TO Germany, and
many Of the Latin-AmeriCan states, are
anxious to have the United States pull
their chestnuts out OF the fire. so to
speak. This is a role which the admins
tration is by no means yet prepared to
play. Consequently, there now Is con
siderable elaboration as TO how Ear this
government may properly 60 in recognIz-
ing the interest Of other neutrals in its
correspondence with Great Britain.
Reports reached official quarters yes
tcrday that fears were entertained that
the United states was rushing precipIG
tltely into contest with Great Britain
without duly considering the ultimate
In answer to these appre-
tensions. 1t was pointed out that nothing
had been said in the note which could
place the United States in n difficult pO-
sitiOn, even should Great Britain choose
to be disagrceable about il. which is not
expected. Reports from London con-
frmed the view expressed here that the
text OF the note does not warrant It's be-
ing held As a severe sharp, and belliger-
ent pronunciamentO. officials here are
confident that nothing was said which
could either irritate the British govern
ment or arouse any resentment among
the British public: that the document
was no more than a dignifed assertion
Of what the United States regards as its
legitimate rights. and a courteous but
firm appeal TO Great Britain to modify
considered offensive and
hurtful.
Furthermore. 1t was declared that
what will be received from Great Britain
will not be a sharp "yes'' or no" but
an augmentative statement. in which all
the issues raised by the United States
will be discussed from the British point
NJ view