New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-30


The first impression OF the public
IS that the note may create friction
and perhaps some unfriendly feeling.
although the newspapers point out that
It specifically states that tho repr..
sentations are made in friendly
spirit. The situation IL comparable 20
that which arose in the time % tho
south African war, when neutral shin.
pers began 20 send cargoes intended
Tor the Trsnsvaal Republic 70 the neu.
tral port Of Delagoa Bay.
The American note reached Lordon
on Sunda. Ambassador Page informed
the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Haldane
who, in the absence OF Sir Edward
Grey is head of the Foreign Ofice. Of
the impending protest yesterday, and
this afternoon the actual text was de-
liyered to the Foreign Office.
Cabled Summary Inadequate.
by those who have read the text n
Is said that the cabled summary. which
IS prominently displayed on the first
pages Of all the newspapers in big type.
gives an erroneous impression Of Sc
verify and impatienco which tho COM
pete note does not justify. From con-
versation with officials late this even
ing n is evident that the British gov
ernment receives the note in a per-
fectly friendly spirit. feeling that
America, IN sending the protest, is
moved by the same feeling
The real danger Of the situation IL
not from the British government, which
recognizes the legitimacy Of Americas
agitation, but IN arousing an unfayor-
able public opinion here, which is like
ly 20 turn in tho direction OF consid-
erlng Americas action unfriendly and
to lead to accusations that American
sympathy is governed by commercial
profits.
The government faces n difficult prob
lem Of tremendous proportions. In
fact the American government has pre-
sented inquiries which Great Britain
will have the utmost difficulty in an
sworing. England, on one hand, Is con-
cerned with the vital question of keen
y
Austria, and, on the other hand, with
not unduly interfering with neutral
commerce Great Britain is in diff
culties not only with America, but also
with other neutral states, particularly
those bordering on enemy countries
IL is not improbable that Great Britain
will in the end be compelled 10 impose
new principles OF international law re-
gardlng the treatment OF contraband
on account Of the unprecedented situa-
ton Of her enemies being surrounded
by neutrals, through which goods can
be shipped.
Delay the Principal Difficulty.
There is not the slightest doubt that
American commerce has been seriously
nterfered with. Delay has been the
principal difficulty. Ships carving
American cargoes have been seized Al
yea, brought into British ports and
here searched, sometimes even 20 the
'Xtent Of completely unloading the
,essels.
As recently pointed out in these DIS
patches, some evidence Of smuggling
las been discovered, and therein will
ie one Of Brltain's best arguments in
ustfying her course 10 the United
states. This evidence already has been
presented IN Washington, notably in
he case Of shipment Of rubber under
/ false manifest.
The great trouble hss been with .he
machinery which the government here
levised for dealing with these cases.
Port authorities, an Admiralty contra
and committee and the Foreign Office
must all take a hand in dealing with
pecifc cases Of retained cargoes. Pa
lers and arguments are passed all
round London before decisions are
cached, and American cargoes have
een subjected 70 wholly unreasonable
.elays.
But Great Britain's greatest difficulty
.as been in deyising some ADEQUATE
Ian 20 halt Illicit traffic 20 Germsnv
nd az tho same time observe the rights
" neutrais Several plans have beer
ried. but each has been found wanting
This has led 20 great con-
usion particularly for Americanish,n-
'ers who. following one line Of pro-
edure outlined by Great Britain would
ind new rules applied after the ship
nert had been made. the government
n the meantime having found tho pre-
.ious plan ineffective.
Constant Changes Made.
For instance. az the outset Great
britain said goods could not be ehippcl
20 regularly designated consigtees In
countries adjoining Germany"
n view OF the promises Of these neu-
raj governments 20 prohibit exportA-
II It's Advertised in
The Tribuilf
It's Guaranteed.