New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-25
BRITAIN DENIES
U. 5. HAS CAUSE
FOR COMPLAINT
Defends Methods of Hand,
ling Cases of Detained
Ships and Cargoes.
From Tic Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington. June 24.-American citi-
zens have no substantial grievance as
to Great Britain's treatment of neutral
shipping, according 70 ,the recent
memorandum from the British Foreign
Office, which was made public here to-
day by Secretary Lansing. 1t enumer-
ates the efforts to hurry the cases Of
detained neutral ships and cargoes. 1t
Is, however, unsatisfactory to this
country, and a note will shortly be sent
to Great Britain protesting in a gen.
eral way against the activities of Brit
ish warships in impeding neutral COM
merce.
The concessions made as TO ship
ments of cotton, the memorandum says,
have resulted in prompt settlements,
and it points out that few ships have
been detained, compared with the num-
Der which have cleared from the United
States. ~
Discussing the shipment of cargoes
from Germany which had been paid
for previous to March /, the memo
randum says that the British govern
ment has done all that could be ex-
pected in allowing the shipment of these
cargoes without interference up to June
Is. In response, however, to the rep
reservations of the American Ambas-
sador, directions have been given that
in all such cases passed on by the Brit
ish Embassy before June Is the goods
shall be allowed to proceed without
interference
No Cause for Grievance.
The memorandum says in conclu-
sion:
"His majesty's government are
earnestly desirous of removing all
causes of avoidable delay in dealing
with American cargoes and vessels
which may be detained, and any spe-
cifc inquiries or representations viii n
may be made by the United States gov
ernment in regard TO particular cases
will always receive the most careful
consideration, and all information
which can be afforded without prejuI
dice I, prize court proceedings will be
readily communicated; but they can
scarcely admit that on the basis Of
actual facts any substantial grievance
on the part of American citizens is JUS
titled or can be sustained, and they
therefore confidently appeal TO the
opinion of the United States govern
ment as enlightened by this memoran-
dunn"
The British Embassy has announced
that it is prepared to allow shipments
of goods from Germany after June 10
in cases where there was not time
for shipment before that date. The
embassy added that the British con-
sular authorities at Rotterdam have
been informed as TO the conditions
connected with the permits in these
cases.
Secretary Lansing will hold a con-
ference with a committee OF importers
representing approximately s5O,O00,O00
worth of goods now held in Germany,
which the British government will not
allow to come TO this country, although
they were contracted for by the i'm
porters some time ago.
The United States has never admi.-
ted the right of Great Britain to in
terfere with the shipment Of non-con-
traband cargoes TO and from Germany,
ard it is generally understood that
this phase of the warfare on the seas
will be treated vigorously in the note
that is shortly to go to Great Britain.
1eXt oil MeHOTdHuuW.
The memorandum in full follows:
"THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR AT
LONDON TO THE SECRETARY OF
STATE AID INTERIM,
American Embassy,
London, June %. 1915.
Lord Crewe. in charge Of Foreign
Office during Sir Edward Grey's tenn
porary absence, has Just handed me
printed memorandum dated June II.
II is not an answer 10 the principles
set forth in the note transmitted in
yours OF March 80, but merely an
explanation Of concrete cases and the
regulations under which they are dealt
with. Foreign Office wishes TO arrange
for simultaneous publication here and
in Washington morning of 25th inst.
Please telegraph IL this date is salts
factory. Memorandum reads as fol-
lows:
"I. His majesty's government have
on various occasions. and notably in
the communication which was ad-
dressed 70 the United States Ambas-
sador on the 18th March last. given as
surances TO the United States govern
ment that they would make il their
first aim 10 minimize the inconven-
fence which must inevitably be caused
TO neutral commerce from the existence
Of a state of war at sea. and in par
ticular. from the measures taken by
the allied governments for the re-
stricton Of the enemies oversee
trade. In view Of the representation
and complaints made TO this depart
ment By the Ambassador from time TO
time as TO the peculiar hardships al
legged 10 have been wrongly inflicted on
American trade and shipping by the
operations OF those measures. his mai
Continued on page .. column 3