Evening star., 1915-05-22
BRITISH EMBASSY
EXPLAINS POSITION
Agrees With Trade Advisers on
Terms Arranged With
Cotton interests. I
SAYS LEGAL RIGHTS OF US.
HAVE NOT BEEN IMPAIRED
This Government to Further Con-
trovert "0rder in Council" Which
Virtually Enforces Blockade.

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Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British am
called on Secretary Bryan and
explained that the British embassy
the foreign trade advisers of the State
Department that the informal arrange
ments 10 assist the American cotton in
terests did not affect the legal right OF
the United States in its opposition TO
the British order In council.
The amba ssador brought with him a
copy OF the statement he issued last
night. which suggested that there had
been either an error in the telegraphic
transmission Of the British foreign Of
flee memorandum. or the impression OBJ
tanned by British officials in London
from their conferences with American
representatives.
The British foreign office statement,
as published here, said that Great
Britain had been given to understand
through its embassy in Washington
that the terms of the arrangements
made with the cotton interests were ac-
ceptaole to the United States govern
ment
Secretary Bryan Issues Statement.
Secretary Bryan gave out state
ment last night referring to the Lon
don declaration. that His majesty
government were. moreover, given 10
understand that the provisions OF the
arrangement were accepta BILE to the
United States government" He said
that conferences between the trade ad-
visers OF the State Department and the
brltlSh ambassador we're conducted
with the distinct understanding that
they were to be considered "as informal
and unofficial. and in no way binding
the United States government to any
arrangement reached, or to be con
strued as a recognition of the order in
council to be issued or declaration OF
March ], which has been issued"
British Ambassador Explains.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British am
bassador, issued a statement explain
ing that this was also his understand
ing. and suggesting that there had
been some mistake In telegraphic
transmission or erroneous Impressions
had been given British officials in
London by representatives of the
American cotton interests there.
There was but brief discussion OF the
question of sending a note to Great
kt
ident Wilson had previously resolved
that the situation with Germany ought
not to be complicated with any new
correspondence with Great Britain. He
took the position that the questions
raised over the sinking of the Lusita-
MIA should be settled on their merits.
irrespective of controversies which the
United States might have with other
bellfgerents. He held, moreover, that
the German government should natu-
In fha in
tention of the United States to bring
about an adherence to international
law wherever its rights were violated.
q. S. Prepared to Controvert.
That the United States is prepared to
controvert further the right of Great
Britain to enforce virtually a blockade
against neutral countries OBTAINING
cargoes Of non n-contraband such as cot
ton consigned to neutral ports, ire.
spective Of destination, was the intima-
tion conveyed by Secretary Bryan's
statement regarding the British for
elgn ONCE memorandum
Secretary Bryan's statement folIows.
Ihe foreign trade advisers attention
has been called TO the statement of the
foreign office of Great Britain. pub
nshed IN TINS mornings papers, an ex-
tract from which follows:
Fourth. In accepting this schema
which 1t may be noted applies to shin
ments of cotton for a neutral destina-
tion only, the principal representative
OF the American cotton interests de-
scribed II to his ma jesty's bassador
at Washington as conceding all that
the American interests could properly
ask. 1t was never suggested that yes-
sells or cargoes with an enemy destina-
tion should be allowed to proceed. His
matesty's government were moreover
given to understand that the provisions
of the arrangements were acceptable
to the United States government.
Agreement With Cotton Shippers.
"The plan referred to is the one which
was entered into between the cotton
shippers of this country and the Brit
ish embassy. a portion of which 10
quoted in the statement of the British
foreign office.
Without discussing at this time the
statement that it was never suggested
that vessels or cargoes with an enemy
destination should be allowed to pro-
ceed,' the foreign trade advisers who
informally and unofficially represented
the cotton shippers in the negotiations
which led UP to the so-called cotton ar
rangement state that IL was distinctly
understood between Sir Cecil Arthur
Washington, and Robert F. Rose, the
foreign trade adviser conducting this
discussion on behalf of the American
cotton exporters. that nothing done by
the foreign trade advisers should be
regarded as official. and that every
thing done was to be considered as in
formal and unofficial, and in no way
binding the United States government
to any arrangement reached. or be con-
strued as a recognition of the order In
council to be issued or the declaration
of March /. which had been issued.
This statement was made to the
British ambassador on March 3. when
the hrst conference in the matter was
held. was repeated at each subsequent
Conference, and each time the aoso-
lnte assurance from the British am
ha ssador was received that. In acting
for the cotton shippers in any way.
the foreign trade advisers were to pe
rAearded as not representing Inc
United states government in any man.
ner."
From British Viewpoint.
The statement Of the British amoas-
sAdor follows:
..The terms OF the arrangement
~.a&nA IN tbe British statement as tel