The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-01-15
ENGLAND'S REPLY
TO UNITED STATES
Refers to Alleged Fraudulent Prac-
tices by Shippers-Text of Note
Friendly-As Answer is Only
Preliminary Bryan Refrains
From Comment
(NewS and Courier)

VI Ine Oniteu oCaCeS against INTERRUPT
ton of American commerce by the
British fleet was made public here and
in London tonight by mutual agree
ment between the State department
and the British foreign office.
The British note concurs in the view
of the United States that commerce
between neutral nations should be in
terfered with only when absolutely
necessary, and officials here construed
it as conceding that the principles ex-
pressed by the American protest were
just
The only formal comment was this
statement issued by Secretary Bryan:
"This answer being preliminary and
not intended as complete reply, we
will postpone comment until the full
answer is received"
Briefly, the British reply, while con-
ceding the principles on which the
American contentious are based,
points out difficulties in actual prac-
tice, refers to alleged fraudulent prac-
tices by shippers and cites statistics
showing an increase, rather than ID
decline in certain neutral commerce,
in support of Great Britain's suspic-
ions that Germany and Austria have
been indirectly obtaining contraband
through neutral countries. The note
promises, however, that Great Brit
ain will make redress whenever the
action of the British fleet may un-
intentionly exceed the limits of in
ternational law.
Entirely Friendly
Though officials were reserved in
their comment, it is said authorita-
lively tonight that they regarded the
tone of the note as entirely friendly
and believe that further discussion,
which will follow it, will be carried
on in the same vein.
The admission by Great Britain of
one of the chief points in the Ameri-
can note-that the relations between
neutrals were those of normal times
of peace and not of war-was graft
flying to officials, who believed the
controversy would now resolve itself
into frank discussion of what were
the actual necessities which impel in
reference by beligerent when sus-
pecting that the ultimate destination
of neutral cargo is beIligerent ter
ritory.
The statistics proceeded to show
that American commerce with neutral
countries contiguous to Germany and
Austria had increased materially
since the outbreak OF the war were
regarded here as misleading. 1t was
pointed out that in view of the break
ing down of normal trade routes
many non-contraband products had
ben shipped through neutral coun-
tries.
AS to the increase in shipments of
copper to Italy it was pointed out that
the Italian ambassador here already
had explained that Italy, which pre-
viously had obtained copper fromGer-
many and Austria now was forced to
import from the United States be-
cause of the embargo on expectations
which the belligerents themselves had
imposed. The American Government
contends, moreover, that if copper has
reached belligerents through neutra,
countries, it is the duty of the British
to make more effective arrangements
with those neutral countries.
Pleasing to Americans
Great Britain's admission that as to
foodstuffs and conditional contraband,
Lord Salisbury's doctrine, quoted in
the American note, would be followed |
would be held up only when destined |
to an enemy, also was pleasing to
American officials.
There is every reason to believe that |
the United States will not accept |
Great Britain's view that cargoes |
must be taken into port for extended |
examination. While the statistics ci- |
ted show that only 45 cargoes out of |
773 actually have been taken into
Prize Courts, officials here note that |
no mention is made in the British |
note of the great number of American |
cargoes detained subsequently re-
leased. 1t was not the loss already |
suffered byAmerican commerce which |
brought forth the American note, but
the desire to prevent future mistreat-
ment. The United States also laid |
stress on the effect which the deten.
tions already made had had on Ship
pers, who hesitated to export car
goes on account of hazards involved |
and what was termed the indecsion
OF the British authorities in applying
their own rules.
Officials regarded as novel the argu-
ment of Great Britain that it could
not give unlimited adherence to the
rules with respect to condition'l con-
traband destined for belligeronts. ne
cause Britain's enemies had departed
from hitherto accepted rules % civil
hzation and humanity" 1t was sug-
gested American commerce should
not be forced to suffer because of cir
cumstances over which the American
people could have no possible control.
As whole the British note was re-
garded as satisfactory, though the
State department will marshal facts