Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-09
SPECULATE UPON
BRITAIE'S COURSE
Washington Officials Differ in Their
Views as to What England
Will Do.
PRESIDENT READS COMMENT

WASHINGTON, Nov. s.-Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing
today read American press comment
on the latest note sent by the United
States to Great Britain and awaited
the effect OF the document upon Brit
ish treatment OF neutral overseas
trade.
So far as American shippers are
concerned, however, the despatch of
the note marks a turning point of
vast Importance, for henceforth the
United States is to consider the Brit
ish blockade ineffective and inoper-
ative, and all cargoes of non-contrs-
band goods destined for Germany or
through neutral countries to the enc
mics OF Great Britain will be viewed
by this government as immune from
detention. Claims presented by
Americans for detentions or seizures
of such goods will be supported by
the diplomatic machinery of the
United States to the fullest extent.
Speculation la Varied.
Speculation In official quarters today
as to what Great Britain's course would
be was varied. Some officials pointed
! out that II Great Britain abandoned all
pretense OF blockade and applied TIA
laws OF contraband. the Forthcoming
American note on the propriety Of in
cluding various articles In the contra
band list would he especially pertinent
to- the controversy. on the other hand
| II the blockade Ia made legal 80 far Al
German coasts are concerned. the Amer.
ican government will continue TO insist
that legitimate trade with neutral coun.
tries must not be interfered with.
What American officials express par
ticular concern about In connection with
the alleged practices OF Great Britain is
the large trade they claim Great Britain.
itself. Is carrying on with neutral ports
! from which American exporters are
| barred. II Is this feature OF the situa-
ton which officials regard as most
serious and indefensible. They say IL
Great Britain held Its own shippers TO
normal trade with neutral countries.
the application Of rigid measures 10
American traders might lie less Of
fensive. though the aspects of law would
not be affected.
Arguing ON Tech Meal Grounds.
In allied diplomatic quarters here. the
note was not commented on officially.
but uniformity OF views was noticeable.
The British opinion Is that the United
States is arguing on technical grounds
and failed to take into consideration the
altered circumstances of the present war
and the enlarged facilities for rapid
communication by rail between Dutch
and Danish ports. for example. and Ger
man cities. French and Russian officials
pointed out that their governments were
in sympathy with the attitude OF their
ally. Great Britain and that while the
British foreign office was conducting
the negotiations this did not mean their
governments were any the less inter-
estcd.
Among all OF the allied diplomats the
view prevailed that the controversy would
not become acute, II being pointed out
that even II deadlock was reached IN
the negotiations the Bryan peace treat
les still we're available for a years in
vestigation Of the points in dispute. These
pRcts have been ratified between the
United States and all OF the allies.
Germans Commend Note.
In German quarters the arguments in
the American note were commended al
sound and Justified by International law
! German officials. however. said they
were much more interested in what meas.
ures the United States would take TO OBJ
tain acquiescence to its expressed Views
! In view OF the length OF the note an
answer from Great Britain is not expected
| for at least a month.