The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-25
NO FOUNDATION FOR
u. S. COMPLAINTS
Declares Great Britain in Memorandum
on Treatment of American Com
merce and Asserts 1t Has
Tried to Minimize In
convenience.

| Washington, d. c., June 25.-Greai
Britain, in memorandum transmitted
to the United States and made public
here and in London last night, recites at
length its efforts to minimize inconven
fence to neutral commerce resulting from
the order-in in-council against trade with
Germany, Austria and Turkey, and as
serts that American citizens have no just
grounds for complaint on account of the
treatment accorded their cargoes.
No attempt is made to answer the
principles asserted in the American note
of March |, protesting against the order
in-council and insisting upon the right
of neutrals to carry on legitimate COM
merce with each other and to trade in
non-contraband with civilians in bellig-
erent countries. In transmitting the
memorandum Ambassador Page said it
was "merely an explanation of concrete
cases and the regulation under which
they are dealt with"
Another note to Great Britain is now
in course of preparation at the state
department and is expected to be dis
patched as soon as the negotiations with
Germany over submarine warfare have
been cleared up. While this communica
tion probably will make reference to
the latest memorandum. it is understood
in-council will not be treated as reley
ant to the question at issue Whether
there is any warrant in international
law for the powers that Great Britain
and her allies have assumed to exercise
over the commerce of the world.
In its memorandum the foreign Office
emphasizes the various special conces-
sions made in favor of United States
citizens" in setting forth that all British
officials have acted in every case with
the utmost dispatch consistent with the |
object in view, and of showing in every |
rase much consideration for neutrals as
might be compatible with the object, |
namely, to prevent vessels from carry |
ing goods for, or coming from, the enc
my's territory"
According to summary of ships de-
tained there are now q vessels which |
,leared from the United States now held
n ports of the united kingdom. OF these
light are said to be unloading cotton
which Great Britain has agreed to pur
:hased; seven will be allowed to depart
Is items of their cargo placed in a prize
'ourt have been discharged, and the 9th
r l2-three of them American ships
he subject of investigation not yet
ompleted.
"His Maiesty's government" the mem
'randum concludes, "are earnestly de-
irous of removing all causes of unavoid-
Bile delay in dealing with American ear
'oes and vessels which may be detained
nd any specific inquiries of representa-
ions which may be made by the United
'tates government in regard to partcu
ar cases will always receive the most
areful consideration and all the infor-
nation which can be afforded without
rejudice the prize court proceeding will
e readily communicated; but they can
admit that on the basis of ac.
ual facts, any substantial grievance on 7
he part of American citizens is iusti :
ed or can be sustained and they there !
ore confidently appeal to the opinion
( the United States government as en-. l
ghtened by this memorandum" c