The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-08
British Blockade Illegal
Says Lansing Note

1 dumlulStrdtlOn To-Day CONSIDERED
measures 10 enforce the demand
made in this governments last not,
protesting against British trade In
reference.
| Action. instead of words. Is ex
pected from England. administra
ton officials declared. rs q proper
reply TO the note. The anticipation
expressed in the note that new or
ders complying with this govern
ments vigorous insistence upoa re
moval of restrictions uron Ameri
can trade will be realized. 1t Is
hoped.
II will be soma weeks before a
reply can be expected from Eng
land Because OF the length OF the
American note and the numerous
technical legal points raised, it will
be impossible for the British for.
eign office to reply Immediately.
Arbitration is to be the last re
sort OF the United States in secur-
ing satisfactory settlement, ofiicials
indicated II deadlock develops,
as seems possible, 1t can be stated
authoritatively that the United
States will consent TO arbitration,
confident of the strength OF its
case.
Messages poured into the White
House today commencing the Amer
lean note.
Officials were interested in the
reception the note received from
British officialdom and the British
press. The administration was also
interested In the view Berlin takes
OF the note. Officials contend IL
clearly demonstrates the strict neu-
trality OF this government, and deals
as vigorously with England as with
Germany on the question OF free
dom OF the seas"
Failure specifically to protest the
placing by England OF cotton on the
absolute contraband list and failure
to detail objections to cotton cargo
seizures was expected to draw crit
bOhlhtth NSSAAtNA
and cotton interests. II has been
officially announced, however, that
a separate note is being prepared
on the contraband question. lnfor-
nation to use In this note is still
being gathered.
Expressions OF the Cerman-Amerf
can press commencing the notes
vigorous tone will be especially
gratifying to some administration
officials. Compilations OF press
comments were laid before Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary OF State
Lansing.
The note was regarded as fore
casting this governments immedi-
ate action in the question of seizure
OF Chicago meat packers cargoes
and also OF the new AngloFrench
policy OF selling vessels in which
Germans are alleged to own an In
terest. Separate representations are
expected soon protesting against
seizure of the meat cargoes on
mere conjecture" which are de
signed for entry into the general
stock" OF a neutral country.
The note is also regarding as sus-
tanning reports by American Con-
sui General Skinner, Of London, Of
increase in British trade with neu-
trails at the expense OF American
shippers. II Is believed that Skin
ner has thus been indicated and
his actions approved.
The note, made public Sunday, Is
firm and uncompromising, although
moderate in tone, II states that the
United States "unhesitatingly as
sumes the championship of neutral
rights and will devote It's energies
to that task" The paper block
ade" OF Germany, established by the
orders IN council. is denounced as
inadequate ard Illegal and notice IL
served that 1t will not be recog-
nized.
The United States, IL is stated.
must Insist that the relations be
twet. 10 and his majesty's govern
nent be governed, not by a policy
Of expediency. but by those estab-
l.shed rules OF international con-
duct To which Great Britain in the
past has held the United States
when the latter nation was a bellig-
erent engaged ir a struggle for ma
tional existence.
That the note gives warning OF
immense claims for damage at the
close OF war was the view ~ some
officials. Certainly claims will be
fled for charges assessed against
vessels unlawfully detained.
In diplomatic circles the view was
expressed that England may adopt
new measures TO extend her actual
blockade Of Germany. to meet the
objections OF the United States. and
that 4 is not an actual blockade.
, Diplomatic representatives OF the
, neutral nations today expressed sat
isfaction with the tenor Of the note