New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-13
British Wish to COntrOVsrt
Lansing's Statements
by Figures.
LONDON STANDS
BY GREY'S REPORT
Thinks American Argument Was
Overthrow by Sir Edwards
Cotton Statement.
n, cah-.to IN. Trlhune /


London. Nov. II. 4 strong feeling
prevails in London regarding the
American note that the British case is
in many respects so strong that 1t
would be advisable that a reply be de-
livered almost Immediately controvcrt-
ing a number of statements made by
Secretary Lansing while leaving the
purely legal arguments for a later
period.
This is especially the effect Of the
first paragraph, where Lansing asserts
that British commerce has thrived by
preventing American importations to
neutral countries in the north of Eu-
rope, with the ,dta of destroying Amer
lean competition for British profit. On
this particular point it is strongly felt
that American opinion might be in
formed before the statements in the
note sink in'o the public mind as an
accepted fact impossible OF contradic-
ton, because the British view is that
that argument vas completely over
thrown in Sir Edward Grey's letter to
Ambassador Page of August 13, which
apparently has been entirely overlooked
by those drafting the note.
Sir Edward Grey gave figures for
several commodities, making special
feature in the case of cotton, stating
that the increased re-export of cotton
from the United Kingdom to Norway,
Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands
during the months from January to
May, 1915, as compared with the same
period in 1914, amounted TO 503,995
centals OF 100 pounds. The United
States exported TO these countries dur
ing this period in 1918 1883 ,63s centals,
as compared with 204,177 centals from
January TO May, 1914, showing six time,
the increase In cotton export from the
United Kingdom. In concluding, Sir
Edward Grey shows that the total
these countries had increased 300 per
cent.
From the British point Of view these
figures are regarded as unassailable,
and it is believed that in many direc-
tions the figures are also procurable.
upsetting a number of the other Of
Secretary Lansing's contentious.
"The American note causes US little
concern as Englishmen," says "The
Spectator" commenting on the recent
note OF the United States to Great
Britain, relative 20 interference with
American trade. Its harsh and IN
sympathetic tone will not make Us re-
lax in the slightest degree the grip on
the throat Of Germany. which our sea
power gives Us. We shall answer the
note politely and In o much more
human spirit than that which inspires
Us words. hut we shall answer q firm 5.
That we must DO whatever ne eonse-
qucrces but there SSH. be no conse-
qucrccs
"The Spectator" believes the majority
% Americans would not tolerate see
TX Great Britain stabbed 90 the back.
u does not believe President Wilson
viii NIX the problems - munitions
and contrsbarc ard 10 refuses % re
gard Amerca a. purely foreigr
COUNTRY.
when history comes % he writer.
American o. tts fu'gre VIII feel Any
ft.rr t.t Pride when ;hrv remc- ber
pho Official action 81 America curing
ttc great uar. ~ concludes Res
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