The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-12-02
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-Arbitrarv
interference of Great Britain with Am
erlcan commerce not only within the
war zone, but in the far East, the black
listing of vessels flying the American
flag, followed by seizure and search and
the pursuit of neutral vessels within
the three-mile limit off the American
coast are causing considerable anxiety
In shipping circles throughout the coun-
try. The State Department, which has
been appealed to by those directly af-
fected, thus far has been able to obtain
but little relief.
| The practice of British cruisers living
off ports of the United States and stop,
ping vessels, American as we'll as for
eign, will doubtless be made the basis
OF vigorous protest to Great Britain.
State Department officials are dis.
pleased by the activities of the British
cruisers as manifested in the seizure
and detention Of the steamer Hooking.
and the pursuit of the American owned
steamer Vinland off Norfolk on the Dor.
der Of the three-mile limit. In all re-
cent proclamations of neutrality the
president states that such practice bv
belligerent warships is unfriendly and
Offensive
1t is indicated in official circles that
the president has come to the conclu.
sion that supreme effort must be made
to stamp out propaganda, inspired by
foreign agents, which is intended to in =
terfere with American industries.
That the United States is obligated,
in law as well as in morals, to pay the.
claims against Mexico that will be pre-
scented by the powers of Europe upon
the establishment of constitutional
government south of the Rio Grande, is
the opinion of Representative Frank
Mondell of Wyoming, one of the Repub-
llcan leaders of the house. Mr. Mondell
believes that these claims will aggre-
gate somewhere in the neighborhood of
half million, and that they will be
presented to the United States just
about the close of war, at time when.
All Europe will be pinched for money.
The Republican leader made the charge
that if the United States had recognized
Huerta when such action was taken by
other powers, or thrown its support to
CaIranza when Huerta was driven from
Mexico, the amount of the claims this
country may be called upon to settle
would have been materially diminished.
Official figures made public by South
Trimble, clerk of the House of Repre-
show that in the new house
NE Democrats will have a majority of
thirty four over the Republicans and
twenty-f over all parties represented
In that body. The rOll-call of the new
house will be based upon the figures
announced by the clerk.
The list includes members elected to
vacancies at this month s election. The
political complexion of the new house
> democrats, 230; Republicans, 1876;
'rogressives, Z; one Independent and
me Socialist.
President Wilson was lost to Wash
ngton again last Saturday He left the
White House before 10 O'Clock in the
norning in his automobile, went to the
ONE of his fancee. Mrs Gait. and a
mort time later the two left for long
rap IN the machine The habit of dis
ppearing from Saturday has become
ornament one with the president. who
ives no hint as to where he wants Ia
o except to his chauffeur.