Evening star., 1915-01-31

~ REAT BRITAINS decision to send
Ii . to the British embassy in Wash
~ ington a commercial adviser of
high rank to take special charge of
commercial phases of the diplomatic
negotiations was reached with the in
+ention of demonstrating to the AmerI-
csn Government Great Britain's desire
to work out a solution of these prob
lens in the friendliest manner.
The explanation was given at the
British embassy, where it was stated
that while this controversy over the
right of visit, search and detention OF
vessels is of vital concern to Great
Britain as a protection against aid and
support reaching her enemies. the Eng
lish government has every desire to
meet the United States fairly in the
matter and adjust differences in man
ner mutually satisfactory
It is to place one of England's great
est trade experts in closest possible
touch with the officials of the United
States government. SO that this and
associated questions can be settled
with the least inconvenience and the
greatest celebrity, minimizing the inter-
ference with commerce. that this new
member of the embassy staff has been
sent here He will act in cooperation
with Sir Cecil Spring Rice; the British
ed out to the London foreign Office
the value of such an assistant
Sir Richard Frederick Crawford, who
reached Washington this week and has
assumed the important office OF COM
mercial adviser to the British embassy
has been for long time in the gov
ernment service as one OF It's most
trusted and able representatives.. rank
'nS R;chard crawford was made
knight commander of st. Michael and
st, George in 1911. He was commits
sioner OF customs from 1904 to 1911.
Turkish minister of finance: He was
born in 1863 and married in 1894 to
Augusta, the only daughter Of the late
Lieut. Col A. A ,I1,ess p; Lestranse. If tSe prt,s,
embassy here since the war has been
in progress has been concerned with
commerce, and while D. G. Osborne.
nized as unusually well informed on
trade matters, it has or some time
been seriously considered by the am
bassador that q real authority and a
in charge Of that department.
The sending Of two vigorous notes by
the United States government to Great
Britain regarding tne detention 70 OF
not the real cause, OF the appointment
OF such minister of commerce.
Students OF international law VINO, since
the outbreak of this international con-
troversy over the rights of commerce on
the high seas and in neutral ports. have
been close students of precedents on the
subject, claim that Great Britain is violat-
ing rules of international warfare that she
herself has contributed to the code. They
cite precedents as being mostly against
the British practice.
This conclusion has been reached by
the law offices of the administration.
which were directed to prepare briefed
opinions bearing upon the present con-
troversy. This information either has
already been submitted to the Senate
or soon will be. 1t Is pointed out that
instead of upholding Great Britain's
contention that international usages in
time OF war clothe it with the privilege
of making the search Of vessels in port
as well as at sea, the international law
authorities specifically hold that the
search should be made only at sea, un-
less there are good grounds for sus-
pecting the character of the cargo.
Sir Edward Grey's preliminary reply
to the note of the United States is said
to have ignored the precedents set
forth In detail by English writer's on
this delicate question Of international
law. Instead Of following the time
honored rule Of his own country. it Is