The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-01-14
Washington Likes the Friendly
Spirit of Document, But Says
Argument Is Faulty and
Issues Ignored.
QUESTION OCEAN BLOCKADE
Extended Correspondence VIII
BE Necessary to Reach Un-
derstanding-No Doubt as
to Outcome Prevails.

! Washington, Jan. 1.-THE United
States government, 1t became known
today, is not altogether satisfied with
the note Of Sir Edward Grey, giving
Great Britain's preliminary reply to
President Wilson'S protest concerning
the treatment OF American commerce
by the British fleet.
| While gratified that Great Britain
admits the Justice of practically all the
principles OF international law cited In
the American note, officials reiterated
, today that the chief difficulty had been
England's neglect to make her actual
practice square with the previously &C
cepted rules OF international law.
/ 1t Is realized by officials here that a
/ long diplomatic correspondence, con-
! ceding the principles of the American
case, but not actually carrying them
into practice, will not meet the com
plants of American exporters and ship
pers, and although Englands supple
mentary answer Is expected to give a
more detailed statement OF her position
officials plan to take up vigorously all
Individual cases which may meanwhile
arise.
| Chief Arguments Ignored.
! Officials are keenly appreciative or
the friendly tone of the British note
and of the promises 1t makes Tor re
I dress In case of unwarranted injury 10
American commerce. They point out
however. that the note in its citation
OF statistics has not taken up one OF
the chief points of the American argu-
I ments
The American statistics were brought
forth to argue that American commerce
with neutral countries had not suffered
as seriously as had been represented
but, administration officials here con-
H. nI,t ne
the American protest was to prevent
depletion of American commerce by a
continuation OF British practices. The
American note, they said, was framed
with the very idea of forestalling de-
struction of American trade. \.
Figures Misleading.
Figures cited in the British note In
the view of officials here. are misleau-
ing because much of the non-contra-
band goods, which ordinarily go direct
to Germany and Austria, has really
been shipped to neutral countries be-
cause of the scarcity of ships that
would dare risk passage through mine
fields to German ports. Similarly, the
desire of Germany and Austria 10 use
all surplus production has deprived con-
tiguous countries of many raw mate
rails which they now are compelled 10
import from the United States. Such
increases in total exports from the Uni
ted States, officials here say, would
conceal the real injury to some Ameri-
can industries because of their appar-
ent growth in trade with individual
countries.
Enelands statement. that out Of 773
ships which proceeded from the Uni
ted States to neutral countries In
in Europe since the outbreak OF the
war only 40 had had cargoes placed In
the prize courts, while only eight OF the
ships themselves had gotten into the
courts, was regarded by officials and
diplomats here as proving that the bulk
OF American commerce was OF legtti-
mate character and had yielded only
IS doubtful cases. There is no men
ton made in the British note on the
other hand Of the large number OF
American ships which were detained
examination.
Question Sea Blockade.
In the next communication which
the United States win send to England
as a rejoinder the British view that
ships must be taken into ports for ex-
animation instead of being searched
on the high seass, is expected to be Wig
orously disputed. There is some doubt.
not infrequently expressed here among
officials of whether the practice of the
British fleet practically blockading the
high seas instead of German ports
themselves is not contrary to the fun
damental principles of blockade.
II is not unlikely that before the
American reply is finally sent, the
state department will give out stats
tics showing when and where Amer
lean ships have been detained.
1t Is admitted at the state depart
ment that the action Of some American
exporters and shipmasters has placed
the British in possession of a strong
argument in favor of it's present po-
sition. But with the recent arrange
ments for having outgoing csrgoes
loaded under the inspection sof treas.
licenses which the British note states
has been arranged to insure rubber
and perhaps wool exported from Amer
lea from reaching Germany and Aus
tria, officials are inclined to believe
that the way soon will be open for a
completely satisfactory understanding
between the two governments in re-
gard to the treatment Of neutral ship
ping and they are encouraged in that
belief by the frank and responsive tone
OF the British note.
At the British embassy today this
statement was issued:
1T is understood that certain Ameri-
can and Italian shipping lines are re-
fusing to carry goods consigned by
name to Swiss firms and that this re
fusal has been attributed In some quar-
ters to some suggestion or action on
the part of the British authorities.
There is no foundation whatever for tina
latter statement. The British govern
ment is on the contrary most anxious
that no new restrictions whatever
should be placed in the way of articles
intended for bona fide consumption In
Switzerland"