Evening star., 1914-12-29

ward Grey, the British foreign minis
ter. was most timely. He said that the
and that he expected the situation
would be much benefited by it.
Time to Protest, Gays overman.
1T was time to protest against the
action of the British fleet regarding
American commerce. said Senator
Overman Of North Carolina, chairman
Of the rules committee. He said that
he was very glad the President had
taken this step and in the manner he
had done.
Senators from cotton growing states
have for months insisted that the cot
ton trade was being unduly meddled
with by the British. Frequent pro-
tests from cotton shippers have been
received in Washington telling of the
various ways in which the shipments
of cotton abroad have been interfered
With by the British. and these protests
were taken to the State Department by
the senators to whom they were ad-
dressed.
senator Stone, chairman of the for
eixn relations committee ID out Of the
city. having gone to Florida for the
holidays.
Mann Criticises.
Vigorous criticism of the administra-
ton policy in Mexico and an indorse-
ment of the protests to Great Britain
against the seizure Of American neu-
trail vessels were coupled in the House
by Republican leader Mann.
Our rights on the high seas" said
Mr.. Mann, discussing the, protest to
England, must be upheld with dig
nifty and firmneas."
The communication, prepared by
President Wilson and his advisers in
the State Department reached London
today and was regarded here as the
strongest representation on the subject
of commerce made by the United States
to any belligerent since tho outbreak
Of war.
In view of tho important principles
laid down in the note. 1t was expected
to have a far-reaching effect on the at
titude of other neutral countries to-
ward the general subject Of contraband.
Some diplomats thought 1t might has
ten the calling of the conference of
neutrals proposed by Venezuela to re-
wise rules Of international law for the
protection of neutral commerce.
The note was not the result, 1t is un-
derstood. Of any particular violation by
Great Britain of what Washington
considers it's commerce rights, but was
intended as protest against the atti-
tude Of the British government, to
which France has practically adhered,
In the treatment OF neutral cargoes.
United States Has Been Patient.
The document points out that the
United States was patient in the early
days of hostilities. realizing the war
had burdened the British foreign Office
with serious problems. 1t declares that
with the passing Of five months. how
yer, the situation has grown worse.
Administration officials realize that
many millions Of dollars in claims are
accumulating against the British gov
ernment, but the note sets forth that
reimbursements alone do not cure the
evil, as American shippers are practi-
cally intimidated and fear to embark
upon legitimate export trade.
The American note declares the rela-
tions between neutral countries are
those of peace and normal times and
not of war. The words absolute or
Of the American government therefore
should not exist The United States in
sists that the facts proving that hos
tile destination Ia intended must be
shown at the time of q vessels seizure.
It claims that the presumption Of guilt
should not rest on the shipper in neu-
trail commerce. but that the burden of
ent. Similarly, a cargo consigned ito
order" that IL sent to no specific con-
siRneo in a neutral country, is not of
itself a suspicious circumstance, ac-
cording to the contention Of the Ameri-
can note.
' that the belligerent may exercise the