The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-01-06
ENGLISH ASI0UNDED
BRITaKs BAD NO NKLING FRiC-
TI0NS WITH UNITED STATES

WAR news SECONDARY
Wilson's Nose Proves Most Sense
tienal Event Since Cleveland's Ven
ezuelan Message-Oncia1s Of Eng
lish Government Are Not Surprised
at Action Of This Country.
London declares that the Ameri-
can note protesting against the Brit
ish treatment OF American commerce
and Insisting upon an early improve
ment, seemed to overshadow in the
mind Of the British public Tuesday
the news from the European battle
fields. While the note caused no sur
prise in Official circles, it was wholly
s unexpected by the British public, as
there had been virtually no intima-
ton that any friction had arisen be-
tween the two governments.
Piacards posted by the evening pa
pers were given over exclusively to
the American note, and the papers
gave it the largest headlines they
have given any news during the past
month Consequently the British peo-
pie regard this as one Of the most i'm
portant occurrences Of the whole war.
Nothing of the kind since President
C1eyeland's Venezuelan message has
produced such sensation.
The first Impression of the public
is that the note may create friction,
and perhaps unfriendly feeling, al
though the newspapers point out that
it specifically states that the repre-
sentatiols were made in friendly
spirit.
The situation is comparable to that
which arose at the time Of the South
African war, when neutral shippers
began to send cargoes intended for
the TransYaal republic to the neutral
port of Delagoa Bay. The Washing
Ton note had not reached the foreign
Office late Tuesday, but it could not
have been dealt with had 1t arrived.
as Sir Edward Grey, Sc retary for
foreign affairs, is away for the Christ
mas holidays.
The United States protest to Great
Britain against detention OF American
cargoes by British warships caused
little surprise IN official circles in
: London. For several months ne
gotiations on the subject have been
! In progress between Ambassador
Page and Foreign Secretary Grey,
ard the American note, a synopsis OF
which was published in London, is
regarded as a summary OF the grieV-
ances OF the United States in this
connection.
Statements that the delaying Of
cargoes by the British authorities IS
held responsible for q certain depres-
sion in American trade have created
some surprise. officials expressed the
opinion that Americans holding such
views must fail to take into consid-
eration the sweeping effect upon
American commerce OF the disappear
ance Of German merchant ships from
: the sea, as well as other effects OF the
war beyond the control Of Great Brit
ain and her allies.
It IS believed generally in London
that the foreign Office win make a
detailed statement as to the activities
of the navy in OBTAINING suspected
Z cargces which will put these contra
band troubles in q different light.
The foreign Office time and again
has expressed its regret that mer-
chant ships in no way violating the
neutrality lxws should suffer delay.
because copper and otker articles de-
clared eontraband frequently have
been found hidden under coal or 9th
er cargoes. AT the same time 1t takes
the position that transshipment at
[; sea and other sharp practices have
made careful inspection imperative.
frequently cargoes are so loaded that
an inspection makes necessary shift
ing Of virtually everything in the YES
sell.
The statement that the American
protest is thoroughly approved by
President Wilson has created much
Z comment and has added weight to
its effect. There Is some disposition
IN London, however. to regard { tc
q certain extent as measure to sat
isty insistent demands in congress.
Particular surprise has been ex-
pressed by oficisls at the disposition
of certain Americans to hold Great
Britain partly responsible for the de-
preston in cotton. Officials believe
! that to be due to overproduction, and
government.
The morning newspapers comment
at length on the American govern
ment's note to Great Britain concern
ing treatment accorded American
commerce by the British feet, and
agree that the American protest
should BE met by the British govern
ment in the spirit Of friendly good
will shown by the note. Generally,
however, the newspapers are inclin-
ed to await the actual text of the
note before indulging in detailed dis
epssion.
In the meantime the point how, in
evitabIy seriously difficulties arise
whenever questions Of neutrality are
Z Involved. Moreover they dispute the
: theory that Great Britain alone is re-
sponsible for the dislocation Of the
worlds trade, arguing that, even had
she remained neutral, the fact that a
: number Of old nations were involved
must lave had detrimental effect on
the worlds commerce. In any case.
they say, Great Britain was not re-
sponsible for the war. The Times
says:
s'The note is dated December q,
and, although the idea may seem
fanciful, We can not help imagining
H. &hnE hh