Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-31
BRITAIN TO REPLY
SHORTLY AND IN
FRIENDLY SPIRIT
Officially Announced Answer to
American Shipping Protest
VIII Be Framed Soon.
LONDON CALLS NOTE
AMERICAN POLITICS
Declares It Was Sent to Assure
Germans That United States
Was Neutral.
loNDoN CALLS NOTE
AMERICAN POLITICS

LONDON, Dec. 81, $40 D. n.--The
pfficlal information bureau this after
noon gave out the following state
naent:
IAN answer TO the American note
will be drawn up as soon as possible
IT will be in the same friendly spirit
in which the American note is writ
ten
The admiralty has prepared for the
foreign office a report of operations OF
all ships which have held up or di-
verted into port vessels carrying
goods from the United States. In
every instance the reason assigned for
the action is given. Specific allega-
tions OF irregular manifests and OF
contraband are cited, and 1t is ex-
pected this document will prove
very essential factor IN completing
the answer of Britain to President
Wilson's demand.
The situation Is still considered the
most serious development outside or
actual lighting There is strong
minority in England that seems anx-
ious to seize upon the action OF the
United States as evidence that 1t Is
pro-German. And some of the news
papers, especially those outside OF
London, are urging the government
to stand firm by its past actions and
to tell the United States that 1t win
mot be permitted to coin money out
of England's necessities"
Offlcialdom generally. however. De.
iieves that a way will be found out OF
the matter that will be satisfactory 10
both sides The best experts on IN
ternc t:onai law have been called into
consultation with the foreign office,
and the high law officers of the crown,
Including the attorney-general and the
solicitor general. They will pass upon
each individual contention raised Dy
the United States.
Americans in London Enraged.
1t is also the intention of the for
Aign ONCE to discuss the matter with
Ambassador Page, as President Will
sons direct representative. The evil
dent attempt on the part Of some ofii-
ciaIs to charaeterize the protest as a
pollticaI dodge has enraged Americana
here, II was evident that the oliseiat
press bureau was trying to make out
4 case against the United States OF
giving publicity to the note before II
actually had been presented to Eng
land in its statement that the note
was not handed over until Thursday.
At the American embassy, 1t is
stated that so soon as word was re-
ceived that the note was to be dellv-
cred, the foreign office was informed.
In every way the usages or diplo-
macy we're followed so far as the en-
ihassy here is concerned, and AmbaS-
sador Page was prompt to resent the
5rnputation. 1t Is not believed, how
ever. that this will in any way COM
ujicate the situation. No answer from
England Is looked for by the embassy
for several days. The questions at is
sue are too grave to be dismissed Off
hand. From the attitude of other
neutral countries, especially those OF
the Scandinavian peninsula, Will also
be considered at the same time. II is
hoped by officials here that some way
will be found that these countries Will
agree to prevent transhipment of sup
plies from America. If this can be
done the solution Of Americas prob
lem will be easy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-Many
weeks, and probably months, will be
consumed In discussions between the
United States and Great Britain over
this governments shipping protest.
This was stated today upon high
official authority. The President him.
self does not expect Immediately
more than partial concessions by
Great Britain. The first and earliest
result expected by this nation is that
Great Britain will agree to cease ar
resting American vessels and convoy
ing them to English ports for exami-
nation of cargoes unless grave sus-
picion upon good grounds exists re-
garding their contraband character.
Other questions are expected to form
the basis Of prolonged negotiations.
While the President has declared
that some of the points raised are
not debatable, the grievances being
clearly established by precedents
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