The Washington times., 1915-06-23
.GERMANY'S REPLY.
is ALMOST READY
HERE NEXT WEEK
Ambassador Gerard Sends Re-
port, SO President Decides
to Take Short Vacation.

Germany's reply to the United States
demand for assurance that the rights
of Americans on the high seas under
international law shall be respected has
been partly completed. Ambassador
Gerard has so advised President Will
son. But he has also made 1t plain that
the answer will not be sent to this
country before the latter part of next
week II present plans are adhered to.
To Begin New Protest.
As soon as he returns to Washington
from Cornish, President Wilson, 1t Is
understood. will put into operation
the machinery Of a new protest to
Great Britain regarding the interfer-
ence with American commerce and
mails in the war zone area.
During his absence II Is expected that
a large delegation OF New York inn
porters with fifty million dollars worth
of goods tied up IN Holland and scan
dinavian ports will lay before Acting
Secretary of state Lansing a detailed
| account of their grievances. These inn
porters charge that because of the ar
bitrary interferences by British naval
commanders with neutral cargoes en-
| United States, 1t has become lmpos-
sible to get ships to bring the goods
| over.
|
| Germany, Great Britain, under the Or
| der in council Of March Is, establishing
| the so-called blockade against German
trade. refuses to permit the shipments
| to pass through the war zone without
its consent Recently all permits have
| been refused.
| 1t is understood that the importers
| will propose to charter ships OF Ameri-
over. Should these American ships be
held up, basis will be given for
| strong protest.
Investigation is now being made by
the Postoffice Department Of charges
that the British postal censors are
opening all mails passing through Eng
land to the United States from Sweden.
Postmaster General Burleson said to-
day that as soon as this investigation
Ia completed a report will be laid be-
fore the State partment which, 1t Is
expected, will lay the matter before the
British authorities.
simultaneously with the report that
the German reply can be expected 10
be very conciliatory In tone comes dis
quieting developments In connection
with the British French interference
with American trade. Captain Pretty
mans announcement in the house OF
commons yesterday that the govern
ment plans to practically take charge
Of Hollands commerce by prohibiting
shipments entering that nation that are
not consigned to the Netherlands Over
|
1t Is believed to foreshadow the holding
up of all cargoes from this country. a
neutral nation. to Holland. another
neutral nation, as matter of right by
Great Britain. that nation only permit
ting such goods to pass through as
, suits the plans Of those directing her
, war policy.
Officials Are Amazed.
Tho Administration had not anticip-
nv ~ .
ain that would complicate the relations
between the two countries. 1t has been
, made known to the British embassy
here, through the various conferences
that have been held between the State
s Department Trade Advisers and the
n British commercial attache. Sir Richard
Crawford, that the pressure on the Ad-
ministration to a peremptory demand
e on Great Britain to modify her order
n in council dealing with the German
: blockade so that II would not interfere
=, with trade between this country and
other neutral nations. Hopes had beer
| expressed that the coalition cabinet in
1 London would appreciate the position OF
n the Administration. But the declaration
that the supervision of neutral COM
t merce Is to be emphasized instead OF
: realized has startled officials here.
While in Rossyn. l. l., tomorrow, th'
5 President will hold a lengthy confer
confdant. Col. House had a long con
. ference with Sir Edward Grey. the Brit
r ish foreign minister. just before h
sailed from London little more than 1
fortnight ago. There Is not the slighes
: doubt but that Col House knows jus
how the British government feels oil
all matters Of American policy and h
will enlighten the President especial!
on these points.
The value Of American owned good
now detained in British ports is place.
, at well into the millions by represent
| tatives of exporters here. They sa.
that practically all Of these goods ar
non -contraband. And. with Forme
Secretary of State Bryan advocatini
equal treatment of Germany and tn
allies so far as the protests are con
cerned the exporters believe they VIII
soon get action from the Administra