Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-16
BRITISH BLOCKADE ORDER
DlSPLEASES WASHINGTON
President Declines to Discuss Mat
ter Until State Department
Passes on Document.
VIGOROUS REPLY PROBABLE
American Government Alarmed at
Ban on Trade With Other Neu-
trail Nations-Austrian
Port Still Open.

trail Nations-Austrian
Port Still Open.
President Wilson declined to discuss
the British order in council. shutting
off trade with Germany. with callers
today because he had not been able to
go over the official text. but he indi-
Gated broadly that the unofficial out
line of it's contents was very displeas-
ing to the United States government
Callers asked the President il there
was precedent in law or history for
Great Britain's action. The President
began TO reply, and then, evidently re-
considering, said he would defer any
expression until officially advised of
the order and until after conferences
with State Department officials.
Discussion among other officials,
however, was taken to indicate that a
protest would be made to Great Brit
ain and her allies.
ohicial Text Received.
The official text OF the British order
arrived during the day. Omcials said
il did not differ from the London dis
patches. State Department officials be-
gan study of its terms. Scores of in
Huiries from shippers have been un-
answered. pending receipt Of the off,
a7aI order
The British order was taken up at
length at. the cabinet meeting, where it
seemed to be agreed that vigorous
protest would be made as soon as the
President can go over the question In
detail with State Deuartmeut officials,
Cotton Shipments Hurt.
Cotton shipments from the south
would suffer particularly by the new
order, Although Great Britain has
promised to pay for shipments of cot
ton taken into her ports en- route to
Germany, the fact that these cargoes
will be sold at market and not contract
price has aroused the cotton growers,
who, through their representatives In
Congress, are preparing to insist on a
strong declaration from the Washing
ton government on the subject
with the President devottng his en-
tire time now to foreign Affairs. an OK
haustive study OF the new situa.ion
viii be made One general protest from
the United States. embodying Its po-
stion on the general principles In
yolyed. may be based on the previous
diplomatic exchanges on the subject.
and in some official quarters today 1t
was thought that 1t might take the
form of firm insistence on a compliance
with principles of international law,
more vigorous than any OF the notes
hitherto sent by the United States.
New Embarrassing Complications.
omctals at the State Department who
have studied the British order say it
raises new and embarrassing compli-
cations for neutral commerce to which
.hev never before have been subjected
in maritime war.
some positive terms was declared by
diplornatists who point out that the
United States in previous notes had
taken strong position that commerce
between the United States and other
ueutrals was the normal relation Of
states at peace with the world. with
which there should be a minimum Of
interference.
The interference with trade between
the United States and the neutrals
which the order suggests is giving
officials here most concern, for. as they
read the British order. commerce to
those countries which have not placed
export embargoee on contraband ar
ticIes practically will be held up.
The United States contends there is
no warrant for such interruption. un.
less legal proof exists at the time OF
the deteAtion of such cargo proving
beyond doubt that the goods are in
reality destined to belligerent. The
burden Of proof the United States con-
tends should be the belligerent.
whereas Great Britain has transferred
II to the neutral shipper.
Austria Not Affected Yet.
OMciaIs were much interested to
know whether the terms Of the British
order would be enforced against Aus
tria and Turkey. because Germany's
allies were not mentioned in IT.
The ustro-Hungarian embassy here
has repeatedly notified the Department
of Commerce. which has in turn noti-
fed shippers, that cargoes Of cotton
could be shipped without difficulty to
Trieste. If that avenue of communica- :
tion is open for non-contraband goods
their shipment by rail through Aus
tria TO Germany would, In the view OF
officials. alleviate the situation con-
sderably.
The belief prevails, however. that
should any great amount of commerce
destined for Germany develop through
that route. restrictions would also be
placed on IL.
Studying the Order.
Provisions Of Great Britain's order In
council aimed at the stoppage of all
commerce by sea to and from Germany
which administration offfcials regard a.
unprecedented and as having a far.
reaching effect on American commerce
particularly shipments of cottor
and importation of dye stuffs from
Germany, are being carefully studied
today.
Ohicial hope for an early improve
ment of conditions for the cornmerc.
of neutral nations was destroyed b,
the receipt Of the British order to
aether with Information that Grea
Britain had declined to accede to tn,
American governments informal pro
posal for the withdrawal OF Germany,
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