The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-03
BRITAIN'S PLAN
MAY FORCE US.
INTO QUARREL
Insists OH Measures Aimed at
Germany That Injurc
Our Shipping.
ANOTHER PROTEST. Is
MADE To SPRlNG-RlCE

WAsufNoroN, Dec. e.---The determine.
ton OF Great Britain to prevent Germany
from obtaining war material supplies from
other countries continues 10 be a cause or
controversy between the United states and
the British Government. Discussions or
the questions at issue are proceeding CON
tlnually both in Washington and ia Lon
don.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British Am
bassador. had long conference to-day
with Robert Lansing, Counsellor Tor tho
state Department. at which the objections
of the United states to the British pro-
cedure were again set forth. Tn" di-
verscnco of views Of the two Governments
has existed practically ever since the lirit-
iah policy regarding shipment Of contra
band OF war to neutral countries became
understood, and there Is no immediate
prospect of the discussions being brought
to a conclusion.
The United states objects particularly
10 the prolonged detention of American
vessels and also other neutral vesscls car
rying American goods TO neutral countries
adjacent TO Germany. This Government
has represented to Great Britain that In a
number Of cases vessels carrying sucn
perishable products as meat to neutral
countries adjoining Germany have been
DELAYED long time while the British hu-
thorti.s were satisfying themselves as TO
ton.
The United States's contention Is that
such cases should be decided more
promptly that the cargoes should either
be seized as contra band and prize court
proceedings instituted or else released :
THAI the period OF Investigation has been
in some cases unrcuspnably prolonged. 20
the injury of the cargo.
This Government also takes exception
20 the British declaration that shipments
Of contraband OF war to neutral countries
Consigned 10 order" will be- regarded as
goods OF an unneutral destination. \ test
case OF this is already in process Of trial.
and It Is not expected that anything de-
cisive will result until the proceedings are
completed The case IL that Of the Amer
lean steamship Kroonland. sent before 4
prize court at Gibraltar because 1t was
found carrying a cargo ~ copper con-
signed to order at Naples.
The British point out tha. American
shippers could avoid these difficulties 10y
furnishing a statement supplemental "a
the bill OF ladDs showing precisely the
identity of the purchaser Of the goods
The contention Of Americans that sh. y.
ments consigned ITO order are necessary
for the proper financing Of foreign trade
IL admitted by the British as having soI.e
force. and therefore the supplemental
statement il suggested
II has become clear. however that TIC
Eritish Government is determined - per
sst In it, Cuurs., even at the r..k vl 4
quarrel with IN" United States, ard Thai
it intends ~ u" is absolute control OF
tho seas to the utmost 10 put Germany al
o DISADVANTAGE.
it Is pointed out that cousisnments etc
order can be shipped through neutra
countries into beilirerent countries with,
out violation OF the embargoes placed by
neutral Governments adjoining Germany
To avoid this possibility Holland will not
permit the Importation OF contrab1nd OF
war unless such shipments are consigned
to the Netherlands Cover ment, thus civ,
Ing It control of al contrlbanl .utc-iua
the country.
Denmark. on the other hand. j. .1ii L
b. SO placed geographically IN relation 3.
Germany that the Government T. rNt 'u
position to enforce the stric'est u-u'ra,.t,
with regard to shipment % cunuaband
and there Is reason 10 believe thar in'
British fear of German influence in Den
mark makes the London Foreign ONO
particularly suspicious Of American ship
ments of contrabaud into that cJuutr,.