Evening star., 1915-01-09
Preliminary Response to U. S.
Protest Against Interfer-
-, ence With Commerce.
VIEW EXPRESSED THAT
NOTE is CONCILIATORY
State Department Declines to Make
Comment While President Will
son Is Absent.

Secretary Bryan and other adminis-
tration officials were today going over
Great Britain's preliminary reply to
the American note protesting against
interferences with commerce on the
high seas Awaiting President Will
sons return to the city late today.
however, all officials refused absolutely
to comment upon it.
When the President returns the text
of the British communication will be
laid before him. and he will probably
discuss it with Secretary Bryan and
Counselor Lansing of the State Depart
ment.
Such study as officials have given to
the preliminary reply has convinced
them that probably it will be necessary
to await the supplementary note prom
ised by the British government be-
fore Undertaking to continue the
negotiations SO far as they relate to
the general broad principles involved
In the American note. That, of course,
VIII not prevent immediate considera-
tfon of special cases that may arise in
connection with new seizures or de-
tentions. nor. in fact. will 1t stop the
State Department from pressing for
speedy disposition of individual cases.
Officials Take Favorable View.
The general impression on official
circles made by the British note pre-
sented yesterday is favorable; that is
to say the officials regard the British
position as conciliatory, and, while
Great Britain has not yielded any of
the substantial claims which It has as
serted from the beginning of the war.
IN regard to the right of search of neu-
trail ships anywhere on the high seas
the London foreign Office has shown a
disposition to discuss, in a friendly
spirit, any means that may be suggest
ed ny the American government looking
TO an amelioration of the hardships
which the assertion of the right of
search imposes upon ship owners. It
is pointed out by officials that this after
All IS one of the main purposes of the
American protest, for the State De-
partment in terms conceded the right
OF search to the British. but objected
to the manner in which search was
conducted.
There is disposition on the part of
the omc1ais, In the continuation of the
negotiations to separate that question
that is. the manner in which searches
shall be conducted-from the other
questions. relating to contraband and
conditional contraband, which formed
important features of Secretary Bry-
ans note.
Hope Of Speedy Adjustment.
The British preliminary reply has
held out that some speedy adjustment
can be reached of the complaint re-
garding the manner in which searches
are made.
But the British note also makes it
apparent, in regard to such questions
as the right of a belligerent govern
ment to prescribe for itself what shall
constitute absolute and conditional
contraband. and the extent to which
goods of that character may be allow
ed export to neutral countries which
may serve as gateways for admission
to an enemy's country, that there must
be full opportunity to thoroughly dis
cuss these important questions.
That, of course, involves extended
negotiations, but SO long as American
complaints and representations are
conducted with no disposition to undue
delay. 1t Is expected there will be no
objection on the part of the United
States.