Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-29
u. S. TO EXACT PAYMENT
FOR STOPPING OF SHIPS

WASHINGTON Dec. 20.
This Government intends, after the war
to hold Great Britain to strict monetary
account for any violation Of rights to
American shipping. President Wilson
made this emphatlcally evident today IN
discussing the dispatch of a blanket pro-
test to England against transsression OF
Americas maritime rights. financial res
tirutIon win be demanded. usa.a
He held that this note was not threat
20 Great Britain He insisted that 1t was
merely putting the shoe on the other
foot. in. in other words, only applying
the rules Great Britain has heretofore In
sisted on in times OF war when her own
trade was affected.
The note today stands unanswered, the
President said. II summarizes In COM
prehensive form, he explained a series
OF complaints although each indiVlduel
coae has been the subject Of concrete
protest.
OFFENDING NATION MUST PAY.
That this protest is the basis for a de-
mand for damages after the war was evi-
dent from the Presidents explanation
that, wherever Government wrongs the
maritime rights of neutral. the offend
ing nation eventually has TO pay for its
transgressions. From this statement 1t
was inferred that, as in other conflicts
the alleged injured neutral-America' In
this instance-expeets TO ask millions OF
dollars in reparatlon.
The President contended that this
hwsepIng document is only question
pf the rules OF international law. II does
n
1872 or other past controversies with Eng
land, although precedents drawn from
mast experience give basis for the In
ternational law rules, the President ex-
planned.
Moreover, he emphatically asserted that
as far as theory Is concerned there is no
debating Americas position In the situa-
tion. The protest represents our position
fully, the Executive asserted. England
herself, he said, had taken similar posi-
tion In former wars
yet there is no threat, actual or Inn
piled, in the note, he insisted. IL Is
merely demand OF America for her
rights on the seas-and Tor monetary re-
irnbursement should Bngland's seizure,
search and detention of United States
vessels be proved beyond English rights.
CONFIDENT OF SETTLEMENT,
Administration officials expect that the
exchange OF notes VIII result in British
ssgulations freeing American commerce
from British interference to q great ex-
tent. This expectation is based prinei-
pally on the sround that Great Britain is
extremely anxious to possess the moral
support and friendship. not only OF the
Administration. but OF the American
public
IN diplomatic circles opinion prevailed
that the negotiations over the American
note would cover a considerable period.
c0aehed most carefully 70 avoid offering
0fieHse to England-eTen 70 the extent OF
changes IN phraaeolOsy by President VIII
aon himself-the United states note Is ex-
peeled to be given lengthy consideration
by Sir Edward GREY before q reply a.
carefully drawn, Is made
Secretary Of State Bryan refused 70
make ths note public. Also, at present.
iis contents win be kept secret from other
lofsIgn Powers. Notes Of similar tenor %
Eusland from other neutral countries are
expected 70 follow the lead taken BY the
Dailed States, however,
4he preparation OF this governmental
1eEa vas begun fully q month ego b.
ealieitor Cone Johnson. Counselor koe-
eft Lansing and Secretary Of state
h1fan After passing through their
pta4s is phFaseolosx vas changed with
maaie care b President Wilson.
ADDRESSED 10 ENTENTE.
Though addressed e Great Bntaia. the
poe 3 virtually 3 statement 50 81 ef
the Powers now composing The Triple
heEerse. fEaucs haz adopted virtually
M same deefesa on eonlfabaea - has
Britain eea et4pee e no policy
4ara aouId 144141Iatl4 Hsen s
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