Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1914-12-29
WILSON 8 NOTE
NOT THREAT To
GREAT BRITAIN
Special BY United Press Wire.

opeS'ua ~ fTSSS wire
Washington, Dec. 29:-This gov
ernment intends after the war to
hold Great Britain to strict monetary
account for any violation of rights
to American shipping President
Wilson made this emphatically evil
dent in discussing the dispatch of
the blanket protest against trans
gression of Americas maritime
rights. Financial restitution will be
demanded. He held that this note
was not threat to Great Britain,
but insisted he is complying to the
rules which Great Britain hereto
fore insisted on when her own ship
ping was threatened. The note
stands unanswered, the President
said. 1t summarizes In comprehen-
sive form, he explained, a series of
complaints, although each individ-
ual case has been the subject of
concrete protest, that this protest is
the basis for demands for damages
after the war was evident from the
Presidents explanation. He con-
tended this sweeping document is
only question of the rules of inter
national law. There Is no threat
actually, or implied In the note, he
insisted.
The document, constituting the
strongest representation on this sub
1ect made by the United states to any
of the belligerents since the outbrea .
of the war, was cabled 10 Ambassador
Page to be formally presented to 81
Edward Grey. the British foreign sec
retary.
Revised by Wilson.
Its preparation was begun month
ago by Solicitor Core johnson, Coui
selor Robert Lansing and Secretar,
Bryan and finally on the last twl
weeks had the personal attention of
President Wilson himself who revise
it's phraseology with minute care.
The note asserts at the outset thai
the representations are made In
friendly spirit. but that the United
States considers 1t best to speak III
terms Of frankness lest silence be con
strued as an acquiescence In a policy
on the part Of Great Britain which In
fringed the rights of American cltl.
zeDs under the laws of nations.
Since France has adopted practically
the same DEGREES on contraband as has
Great Britain. the note is virtually
statement intended for all the mem
bers of the triple entente.
The document points out that com
plants on every side and public crih
cism In the United States hold the Brit
ish policy as directly responsible for
the depression In many American In
dustries. situation the seriousness OF
which must be apparent to Great Brit
ain.
Reimbursement No Remedy.
Reimbursement alone for cargoes un
lawfully detained or seized, 1t states
does not remedy the evil, as the chief
difficulty Is the moral effect Of British
practice on American exporters. who
are restrained by it from taking risks
or hazards which In no case ought to
surround legitimate trade between tn,
United States and other neutral coun
tries
Feeling has been aroused on the sub
ject to such an extent, the communica
ton adds. that the American govern
ment feels compelled to ask for definite
Information as to Great Britains atti
tude In order that 1t may Ia e such
measures as Will protect American cit
liens In their rights
The United States, 1t points out. was
patient at first. realizing that the unex
pected outbreak of hostilities had
heaped a mass of burdens on the Brit
ish government and thinking an early
clearing of |he air would .Ome.