The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1915-01-07
THE PROTEST TO
GREAT BRITAIN
FEELING THERE is THAT THE
TONE OF THE NOTE Is NOT OF
FENSIVE TO ENGLISH DIGNI-
TY.

Washington. Jan. The state de
partmcnt i awaiting the reply of the
british government 10 the note from
this government protesting the seizure
Of cargoes from this country In neu-
trail ships and consigned to non-bcl-
ligcrents.
Publication Of the full text of the
note. authorized here and Ia London.
It Is believed will prevent any mlsun-
dCrstauding Of the attitude of the
United States 10y the British.
The text Of the note follows:
The Secretary of State to the Amer
lean Ambassador to London:
department Of state, Washington. j..
c., December 20 1914:
"The present condition of American
foreign trade resulting from the FIRE.
duent seizures and detention Of Amer
lean cargoeS destined to neutral Euro.
pcan ports has become 50 serious as
Ia warrant Il candid statement of the
view of this government In order that
The British government may be inform
cd Ms to the attitude of the Emitted
StnteS toward the policy which has
been pursued by the British authori.
Ties during the present war.
You will, therefore, communicate
the following to his majesty's princi.
pal secretary of state for foreign af-
fairs, but in doing SO you will assure
him that 1t is done In the most friend.
~ spirit and I'm the belief that frank.
ness will better serve the continuation
of cordial relations between the two
nations than silence which may he
construed into acquiescence in "a course
Of conduct which this government can
not but consider to be an Infringement
upon the rights Of the American Cit
Zens.
The government has Viewed with
growing concern the large numsrr ol
vessels laden with American goods
destined to neutral ports In Europe
which have been seized on the high
seas, taken into British ports and de-
tanned. some times for weeks by the
British authorities. During the early
days Of the war this government as.
sumed that the policy adopted 10y the
British government was due To the uu-
expected outbreak of hoStiities ana
the necessity for immediate action {,
prevent contrahand from reaching the
7
proposed to act Immediately. and no
action was then taken. although II was
mnnifcstly very injurious to America
trade With the neutral countries Of
Europe. This government relying con
iidently upon the high regard whhh
Great Britain lns 50 often cYhlbited
N the past for the rights of other
TONS, confidently awaited amendment
Of course of action which denied a.
neutral countries the freedom To which
they were entitled 10y the law of ma
tons.
This expectation seemed Ia he rem
dered the more assured by the state.
ment of the foreign office early in No
vember that the British government
was satisfied with the guarantees Of.
fered by the Norwegian. Swedish ana
Danish government as 10 nOn-expOrta-
tion of contraband goods when con
signed to named persons IN the terri.
tories OF those governments, and that
orders had been given TO the British
fleets and customs authorities to re-
strict interference with neutral vessels
such cargOes so consigned TO
verification of ships papers and car
goes.
ut IL, therefore, matter of deep
regret that. though nearly five months
have passed since the war began, the
British government has not material |
y changed Its program, and does not
freat less vigorously ships aud cargoes
passing between neutral ports In the |
peaceful pursuit Of lawful commerce,
which belligerents should protect, rath-
n than interrupt. The greater freedom
rom detention and seizure which was
expected TO result from con
dgning TO definite consignees. rather
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