The Washington times., 1915-01-11
Officials Think Obligations Un.
der International Law Disre.
garded by English Cabinet.
ExPEDiENCY IS PRINCIPLE
Blame Of Alleged Reshipments
. to Germany Placed on
Wrong Country.

Great Britain's obligation to the
United States under international law
has been disregarded by the English
cabinet practically as ''mere scrap OF
paper." in the opinion of many Off
Cials in Washington.
This il the conclusion they have
reached after a days study of the Brit
ish reply 20 Americas demand for bet
ser treatment of shipping interests. 1t
Is felt that, in insisting upon her right
to hold up American shpments to neu-
trail countries. while admitting the
scundness of the American contentious.
obligation. which she owes to neutral
trsde. to expediency, just as Germany
felt called upon in the interest Of ex-
Tedieucv to tear up her treaty with
Belgium.
See No Real Defense.
Officials here insist that England has
no proper defense for her detentions OF
american copper cargoes destined for
neutral countries in the proofs which
she seeks to offer that these cargocs
are ultimately finding their way into
German. II. say these officials in
theit nrivate comments on the British
2eply. England has reason to believe
that Holland or Italy. for example, are
not enforcing their embargoes against
the reshipment Of these carsoes into
Germany. England's coercive measures
should be taken against Holland and
italy, but not against the United States
Government.
This. it is thought will be the ma =
ture OF the rejoinder which the State
Department will make to the British
answer after the full reply IS in
hand. The fact. it was pointed out
this morning. that England admits
that she has no right to interfere
tries is an admission she has no right
rSopgh ff'fsssH 'hs fos 'peaf sse
direct these ge oTld be
statesmen in Washington. is a prin-
%iple Of international law which Eng
land herself has written into the
The plea that she. must take eHtraor-
it is felt here that she has merely
United States cannot be weighed
against expediency.
Officials are inclined to resent the
apparent attempt in the British reply
to convince the American people that
the protest OF their Government is
not in the interest Of their general
welfare. but merely in behalf of "pri-
vate interests" Even were this the
case. these officials contend. the
United States has not only a perfect
right but a duty TO protect private
interests OF her citizens.
Regarded Unsatisfactory.
On the other hand the offer contained
in the British note to reimburse the
American shippers for any damages re
sultins from a too rigorous exercise O.
The right of search and seizure is re-
Sarded here as unsatisfactory. Attcn
ton was called today to the statemen
contained in the American note Of pro
tes. to the effect that such reimburse
mems would not remedy the injuries
inflicted. for the reason that these in
luifes are not confined to the caraoc
seized, but to the American foreign
trade generally. which, by reason Of tn
British practices, has become general,
demoralized.
President Wilson, it is understood
has detcrrpinsd to make no comment
on the reply until the full answer iS be
fore him. This same attitude has bcoI
taken by the Secretary Of State. Othc
officials arc inclined. however, in thci
private observations on the reply. f
express disappOdnT ment