Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-29
j. s. TRADE UNDULY
MOLESTED BY BRITISH
Strongest Representation Yet Made
on Subject Sent to Great
Britain
By Associated Press

Washington, Dec. 29.-President
Wilson, referring to-day to the Amer
lean note to Great Britain, insisting on
better treatment for American COM
merce. declared that large damages
eventually would have TO be paid by
England for unlawful detention OF
American cargoeS.
The President coupled a contirma-
ito nof this mornings publication of
the sending of the note and OF lts
contents with the statement that the
government could deal confidently
with the SuSJect, only il supported by
absolutely honest manifeSts. lie SAID
the great embarrassment to the gov
ernment in dealing with the whole
matter was that some shippers had
concealed contraband ia the cafgoes
of non-contraband articles for exam
Lie, under cargo of cotton. SO lunS
rs there were instances of that kind,
the President said, suspicion was cast
on every shipment and all carSoes
were liable to doubt and search.
Will Present German Note
The notification of Germany that
American Consuls in Belgium must hc
acceptable to the German military au-
thorities had not been called to the
attention of President Wilson early to-
day, but he told callers he would give
the question careful consideration.
Secretary Bryan planned to inform the
President of Germany's note at the
, cabinet meeting.
The communication, prepared By
President Wilson and his advisers in
the State Department, reached Lon
don to-day and was regarded here as
the strongest representation on the
subject of commerce made b. the
United States TO any belligerenJ since
the outbreak of war.
In view of the important principles
laid down in the note it was expected
I have a far reaching effect on the
attitude of other neutral countries to-
ward the general subject of contra
hand. Some diplomats thought it
might hasten the calling of the con-
ference OF neutpals proposed by
Venezuela to revise rules of interna-
tionallaw for the protection o. neutral
commerce.
France Also Implied
The note was not the result. it is
understood, of any particular viola
ticn by Great Britain of what Wash
ington considers Its commerce rights,
but vas intended as a protest against
the general attitude of the British
government to which France has
Irac iyally adhered in the treatment
OF neutral cargo@s.
" nc document points ou- tbRt IN"
/ l ted States was patient q the early
q AVS CT hostili-i =, believi - : that me
y AZ Lad burden ID the British foreign
Office with serious problems. 1t de-
clares that with the passing - i've
months, however, the situation has
grown worse.
Administration officials realize that
many millions of dollars IN claims are
accommodating against the British GOV
crHTnent Dut the note sets forth that
reiIabursements alone do no cure tie
evil as American shippers are prac-
tically intimidated and fear u en- bark
on legitimate export trade.
Relations Peaceful
The American note declares the re-
lations between neutral countries are
those of peace and normal times and
not of war The words absolute or
conditional contraband" on the view
of the American government therefore
should not exist. The United States
insists that the facts proving that a
hostile destination is intended must
he shown at the time of vessels seiz-
ure. 1t claims that the ption
OF guilt should not rest on the shipper
in neutral commerce. but that the bur-
den of proof should be placed on the
beIligerent. Similarly a cargo con-
signed Ito order" that is sent to no
specific consignee in neutral country
country is ES< or itself a suspicious
circumstance, according to the con-
tention of the American note.