Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-25
EXPLAINS STEPS
TO AID SHIPPING
Secretary Lansing Preparing New Note
to Great Britain, Citing Specific In
stances Of Wrongful Detention Of
Neutral Vessels - State Department
Investigating Charges That Ameri.
can Passports Are Being Forged.

al connection WIFI tIle new !AIIleTlCd1i
note to Great Britain the latest Brit
ish memorandum. The communication
explains measures taken BY the Brit
ish government to minimize inconven-
fences to neutral commerce.
The note declares American citizens
have no grounds for complaint of the
treatment accorded their cargoes.
Sufficient facts on detention and
seizure of American ships and cargoes
by British ships have not yet been
gathered by the state department to
issue the new note to Great Britain.
Gathering Data.
Secretary Lansing said today that
the portion Of the note dealing with
the principles Of the blockade had long
ago been outlined, but that officials
have>been absorbed in getting data on
American ships and goods detained or
seized.
The British memorandum will be
acknowledged in the new note and
some Of it's points viii be discussed, al
tho it is recognized here that the
memorandum was not intended as q
reply to the American protest to the
order in council.
Charges that forged American pass
ports are issued in Antwerp. made
when France gave notice that she
would bar naturalized Americans of
German. Austro-HungariAn and Turk
ish origin are to be investigated by
the state department.
Britain Tells Of Efforts.
Great Britain. in a memorandum
transmitted to the United States and
made public here and in. London Thurs
day night. recites at length its efforts
to minimize Inconvenience to neutral
commerce resulting from the order In
council against trade with Germany,
Austria and Turkey and asserts that
American citizens have no Just grounds
for complaint on account Of the treat
ment accorded their cargoes.
No attempt Is made to answer the
principles asserted in the American
note Of March 1, protesting against the
order in council and insisting upon the
right of neutrals to carry on legitimate
commerce with each other and to trade
in non -contraband with civilians in
belligerent countries. In transmitting
the memorandum, Ambassador Page
said 1t was merely an explanation Of
der which they are dealt with"
Lists Good Deeds.
In its memorandum the foreign Of
flee emphasizes the various special
concessions made In favor of United
States citizens" in setting forth that
all British officials have acted in every
case with the utmost dispatch con-
sistent with the object In view and Of
showing in every case such consider
alton for neutrals as might be COM
patible with the object. namely. to pre-
vent vessels from carrying goods for.
or coming from, the enemys terri
tory"
Arrangements for buying American
cotton detained and for permitting the
passage OF goods bought in Germany
by Americans before the date Of the
order In council are outlined and the
promise made that consideration will
be given to special cases Of this kind
in the future.
Roster Of Ships.
According to a summary Npf ships
detained there are now twenty seven
vessels which cleared from the United
States now held in ports of the United
Kingdom. OF these, eight are said to
be unloading cotton which Great Brit
ain has agreed to purchase. seven will
be allowed to depart as soon as items
of their cargo placed in prize court
have been discharged and the other
twelve-three Of them American ships
are the subject of Investigations not
yet completed.
Wish TO Avoid OeIay./
"FIis majesty's government the
memorandum concludes. "are earnestly
desirous OF removing all causes Of un-
avoidable delay in dealing with Amer
ican cargoes and vessels which may be
detained and any specific inquiries or
representations which may be made
by the United States government in
regard to particular cases will always
receive the most careful consideration
and all the information which can be
afforded without prejudice to prize
court proceeding will be readily COM
muted but they can scarcely admit
that on the basis of actual facts any
substantial grievances on the part Of
the American citdzens is Justified or
can be sustained and they. therefore,
confidently appeal to the opinion Of the
United States government al enlight-
ened by this memorandum"