The Detroit times., 1915-01-11
Commerce of u. S. Not Injured
Is COntentiOn-ExpOrt Figures
Cited as PrOof-Undue In
terfere DisclaImed
u. S TO SUBMIT MORE
COMPLETE TRADE DATA
No Reply Will Be Made, How
ever, Until Final British State
ment Is Received

WASHINGTON, Jan. l1.-Great
Britain's preliminary note replying to
this governments shipping protest
was the engrossing subject in official
and congressional circles today. Of
fetal administration comment was
withheld until the subsequent de-
tailed note promised is forthcoming.
General opinion here was that the
note was extremely conciliatory ana
couched In even more friendly terms
than the original protest. Officials
said this government would now mark
time until the detailed British note
is received. No further American
communication. except in cases OF in
dividual ships or cargoes. will be sent
10 the British foreign office.
Orders were given today by the
state department, however, TO mar
shall facts and statistics regarding the
value of United States commerce with
neutral nations Assistance of the
commerce and treasury departments
was asked They Will submit com
plete data regarding contraband and
non-contraband merchandise shipped
from the United States TO. .refute the
contention made In the British reply
that extra large shipments OF copper
and other contraband TO the neutral
countries is prima facie evidence that
snch merchandise was intended for
reexportation to Englands foes.
The text OF the British note fol-
lows:
Foreign office. Jan. I. 1915.
Your Excellency: | have the honor
10 acknowledge receipt OF your note
OF the 2sth Of December.
1t Is being carefully examined and
the points raised in IL are receiving
consideration, as the result of which
reply shall be addressed TO your ex-
cellency dealing in detail with the Is
sues raised and the points TO which the
United states government have drawn
attention. This consideration and the
preparation OF the reply will neces-
sarily require some time. and ! there
fore desire to send without further de-
lay. some preliminary observations
which shall. trust. help TO clear the
ground and remove some misconcep-
tions that seem to exist
Recognise Friendltness.
Let me say at once that we entire
~ recognize the most friendly spirit
referred TO by your excellency. and
that we desire TO reply in the same
spirit and In the belief that. as your
excellency states. frenkness Will best
serve the continuance Of cordial re-
lations with the two countries.
His maJesty's government cordially
concur In the principle enunciated by
that a belligerent dealing with trade
between neutrals should not interfere
unless such interference Is necessary
TO protect the belliserents national
safety. and then only to the extent to
which II is necessary. We shall
endeavor TO keep our action within
the limits of this principle on the
understanding that 1t admits our right
10 interfere when such interference Is.
not with bona fide' trade between the
United States and another neutral
frly M wi N
destined for the enemy's country and
we are ready whenever our action may
unintentionally exceed this principle
Sees Misunderstanding.
we think that much misconception
exists as to the extent TO which We
have in practice. interfered with trade,
Your excellency's note seems TO hold
his majesty's government responsible
for the present condition OF trade with
neutral countries. and II Is stated that
through the action of his majestys
government, the products OF the great
Industries OF the United States have
reen denied long established markets
in European countries. which. though
central. are contiguous TO the seat or
war
intention OF his majesty's government.
and they would exceedingly regret that
il should be due TO their action / have
been unable TO obtain complete or con-
elusive figures showing what the state
OF trade with these neutral countries
has been recently. and can. therefore,
only ask that some further considera-
ton should be given to the question
where United States trade with these
neutral countries has been so seriously
affected.
'sThe only figures as to the total vol
ums OF trade that have seen are
those for the exports from New York
for the month OF November. 1914. and
they are as follows. compared with
the month OF November. 1913
Exports from New York for Novem-
,ber, 1918. and November. 1914, respec-
s.tively:
Denmark ........s $4,000 s7101. 900