Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-01-07
BRITISH CABINET
IS SUMMONED
Sir Edward Grey Hears Full
Text of u. S. Protest.
ANSWER NOT EXPECTED SOON
Reply to American Document Will Re-
quire Considerable Time to Pre-
pare - London Expects TO
Find Friendly Solution.

London, Jan. 2.-Cutting short his
vacation as a result of the American
protest against British interference
with United States commerce, Sir
Edward Grey, foreign secretary, re-
turned unexpected to London on
Wednesday and fastened to his Office
in Downing street.
There he conferred at length with
Ntscount Haldane, who had been act
ing as head of the foreign office, and
later consulted with Premier Asquith.
As a result of the second conference
the entire cabinet was summoned to
discuss the protest from the United
States
It is understood that the American
ambassador will be invited by Sir
Edward to discuss the whole question
with him very soon.
officials of the British foreign Of
flee are closely studying the American
note Of protest against the treatment
given to American commerce during
the war, and the indications are that
a reply will be made as soon as pos
sible. Members Of the diplomatic
corps scout the idea expressed in
some quarters that the matter will
lead to friction between the United
States and England.
The foreign Office has accepted the
protest as a friendly action intended
to clear up situation that might have
become serious had 1t been allowed to
continue without a clear understand
ing. Even the statement of Presi-
dent Wilson that compensation will
be asked because of the damage done
TO American commerce has failed to
roll the British press. which is usually
quick to take offense.
Washington, Jan. 2.-The general
points of the protest sent to Great
Britain by the United States govern
ment are as follows:
L American cargoes have been
searched on the high seas-a belliger-
ent right that is not denied-but the
ships also have been diverted to ports
for further examination, a circum-
stance held not justified under inter
national law unless full proof of hos
tile destination is presented ut the
time.
2. Great Britain has regarded abso-
lutte and conditional contraband as in
the same class. The general under
standing is international law has been
that absolute contraband includes
those articles which are intended for
use by belligerent force and directly
destine to it. Conditional contra
band, including foodstuffs, comprises
the articles which are susceptible of
use by an army or navy, but it must be
proved that, instead of being intended
for the civil population of a country,
these products are destined for use by
its army and navy.
8. Irrespective of the controversy
over what constitutes absolute or con-
ditional contraband in the commerce
between a neutral and a belligerent
country, the note sets forth that in re-
spect to commerce between two neu-
trail countries there ought to be no
question of contraband at all, for the
relations are those of peace and not of
war. Since the Civil war the United
States has upheld the doctrine of con
tinuous voyage" which permitted
seizure of a cargo even in its journey
between neutral ports, provided even
tually it was destined for belligerent.
The American note, however, takes
the position that proof of such hostile
destination must be shown at time of
seizure.
4. The American government con-
tends that a consignment sent to no
specific consignee, known as a Ito or
der" shipment, is not of itself suspi-
cious. 1t claims that this may be an
important circumstance in proving a
case, but is of no inherent value un
less other facts are adduced, also at
the time of detention or seizure.