The Elbert County tribune., 1915-01-01
AMERICAN NOTE
WARNS ENGLAND
HANDS OFF U. S. SHIPS, INSISTS
UNITED STATES, IN PROTEST
AGAINST SEIZURES.
ACTS AROUSE PEOPLE
ASKS DEFINITE REPLY, SO STAND
MAY BE KNOWN, AND OUR
RIGHTS GUARDED.
Weslern Ncwspnper rnlon News scrylce.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington, Dec. 29.-The United
| States government dispatched a long
note to Great Britain, insisting on an
early Improvement in the treatment of
American commerce by the British
fleet. II gave warning that much feel
! ing had been aroused in this country
and that public criticism was general
/ over unwarranted interference with
the legitimate foreign trade of the
United States.
The document, constituting the
strongest representation on this sub
I ject made by the United States to any
of the belligerents since the outbreak
of the war, was cabled TO Ambassador
Page. to be formally presented to Sir
Edward Grey. British foreign secre-
tary. It's preparation was begun a
month ago by Solicitor Cone Johnson,
Counsellor Robert Lansing and Secre-
tary Bryan, and finally had the per-
sonal attention of President Wilson.
who revised its phraseology with mi
mute care. ~,
AS the detailed point of view of the
| United States in numerous specific
cases OF detentions and seizures of car
goes had been set forth in a series of
emphatic protests. most OF which have
gone unheeded, Mondays communica-
ton was couched in general terms
covering the entire subject of the re-
lations between the United States and
Great Britain as affected by the lat
ter's naval policy considered highly OBJ
jectionable by this government
Since France has adopted practi-
cally the same decrees on contraband
as has Great Britain, the note is yir-
tually a statement intended for all the
members of the triple entente.
The note declares at the outset that
the representations are made in a
friendly spirit, but that the United
States considers it best to speak in
terms of frankness. lest silence be
construed as an acquiescense in a pol
icy which infringed the rights OF
| American citizens under the laws of
nations.
The document points out that COM
plants on every side and public criti-
cism in the United States hold the
British policy as directly responsible
for the depression in many industries,
a situation the seriousness of which
must be apparent to Great Britain
Reimbursement alone for cargoes
unlawfully detained or seized, it states,
does not remedy the evil, as the chief
difficulty is the moral effect of Brit
ish practice on American exporters,
who are restrained by it from taking
risks or hazards, which in no case
ought to surround legitimate trade be-
tween the United States and other
neutral countries.
Feeling has been aroused on the sub
ject to such an extent, the communica-
l tion adds, that the American govern
ment feels compelled to ask for def
mite information as to Great Britain's
attitude, in order that it may take
such measures as will protect Ameri-
can citizens in their rights.
Reference is made in the note to the
high principles of equity which have
actuated Great Britain in her champi-
onship in the past of freedom of the
seas TO neutral commerce and the hope
is expressed that even though a bel
ligerent herself. she will realize the
seriousness TO the neutral of contin-
ued interference.