South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-30

WASHINGTON, Dee 30.-Am-
bassador Page at London cabled
the state department today that
ne has presented the American
note of protest To the British for
eign office The actual text of the
note was placed in the hands of
Lord Haldane. acting head of the
foreign office, yesterday in the
absence of Sir Edward Grey. the
cablegram said.
LONDON, Dec. 3O.-Cutins short
his vacation as a result of the Amer
lean protest against British interfer-
ence with United States commerce,
Sir Edward Grey foreign secretary.
returned Unexpectedly To London to-
day and hastened To his Office in
Downing st.
There he conferred at length with
Viscount Haldane. who had been act
ing as head of the foreign office, and
later consulted with Premier Asquith.
As a result of the second conference,
the entire cabinet was summoned TO
meet this afternoon to discuss the
protest from the United States 1t is
understood that the American ambas-
sador viii be invited by SIR Edward
to discuss the whole question with
him very soon.
The following statement was issued
at the press bureau;
The foreign Office announces there
is no truth i'm the statement that the
note of the United States on the sub
ject Of interference with trade was
presented by the American ambass-
ador TO Lord Haldane at the foreign
office yesterday"
Sir Edward Grey has been away
for a few days. During his absence
at his request and with the approval
of the premier. Lord Haldane took
charge of the foreign office. The note
from the United states government
has only been received today"
This statement was issued as the
cabinet went into session late this aft
ernoon. First Lord of the Admiralty
Churchill, head of the navy. which
the United States alleges has unneces-
sarily hampered American commerce.
was the first to reach the premier's
residence for the meeting.
He had with him a large bundle of
official records, believed to be reports
of the naval officers on the stopping
and searching of neutral ships
the situation arising from the Ameri-
can protest this afternoon when it was
stated that the note from Washington
had not been received until today.
This statement was issued by the Off
cial press bureau 1t was announced
last night that the note was received
yesterday afternoon.
Memb bers Of the diplomatic corps
scout the idea expressed in some quar-
ters that the matter wall lead 10 fric-
ton between the United States and
England
Accept Protest "a Friendly
The foreign office has accepted the
protest as a friendly action intended
to clear up a situation that might
have become serious had it been all
lowed to continue without clear un-
derstanding. Even the statement OF
Pres't Wilson that compensation that
viii be asked because OF the damage
done 10 American commerce, has fail
TO roll the British press, which is
usually quick To tame offense.
While the United States is under
stood TO have taken its step without
consultation with other neutral cOun-
tries, diplomatic representatives of
Holland, Denmark. Sweden and Nor
way are intensely interested in its out
come. Those countries. as well as the
United States have suffered as re-
suit OF the attitude taken by England
as 10 shipping.
The note from Washington which
was presented 10 the foreign office yes
terday afternoon. has not yet been
given out and il probably viii be kept
secret until the note Of reply has been
prepared and sent by Sir Edward
Grey. the foreign secretary. Immedi
ately upon its receipt a summary OF
its contents was sent to Sir Edward
Grey by Viscount Haldane. who has
been acting as head OF the foreign Of
flee IN the absence OF the foreign sec
retary.
Editorial Attitude COnCiliatOry.
The editorial attitude OF the press
toward Pres't Wilson's protest is gen
orally Of "A conciliatory nature. It is
pointed out that only a summary of
the note has Deen received and that
final judgment should be withheld
until the complete text OF the protest
can be taken under consideration.
This question was bound - come