New Britain herald., 1915-01-04
SPECIAL CASES ARE
 DECIDED BY ENGLAND
British A(mTaliy IxhaInS ShI1- ments oI Iuips s.tne aad RosIO.

Washington, Jan. 4-Officials of the Washington government expect the coming week to clear the air of much of the uncertainty prevaleGt| over the seizure of American carFoes and ships by tho allies. With the eN- pected answer from Great Britain to the American note Of protest of 4 week ago, tho decision of scores of special cases probably will be expedH- cd
 President Wilson and his advisers were confident that Great Britain wul recognize that the position of the United States as set forth in it's note, does not differ from that which Great Britain herself has repeatedly main tained in previous wars in which Eng land was a neutral. Although the American note itself cited Lord Sails bury's doctrine contending that food stuffs are contraband only wheD proved to be destined to an enemy force, state department officials say. moreover that the volumes of inter- national law and archives of diplo- Inatic correspondence concerning con- traband and the rights of neutraIs iT1 time of war are filled with cases and principles thoroughly iustifying the American contentious.
 Specific Protest Entered.
 They point out, for example, that a much more drasticaIly phrased series of notes was sent by England to RrSs sia when the latter was at war wtH~ Japan in 1904. Not only did England InpIaY shown to be for the use of army or navy, but specific protest was entered against the doctrine that it is for the belligerents to decide that certain ars ticles or classes of articles are, as a matter of course, to be dealt with as contraband of war, regardl less of the we'll established rights of neutrals"
 The fact that almost the identical arguments used 'n the American nota were vigorously proclaimed by Great Britain, not only during the Russo Japanese war, but during previous conflicts in which the neutral com merce of England was injureds4 through the interference of belliger- ent fleets, has strengthened the be- lief among administration officials that concessions in conformity with previous practice will be forthcoming from the British government
 Reports of the finding Of rubber manifested as gum in the cargo of the steamship Sendford, are undaS- stood to have virtually halted the ne- gotiations in progress in London with the object of obtaining a modification of the embargo against the exporta- tion of rubber from British posses sions. The vessel carried cargo from the United States to neutral ports. The British government has taken the position that the rubber probably was destined for Germany, and the reported false manifesting is said to have shaken confidence in the of proposed assurances by American merchants that no rub Der would be permitted to fall into German hands if Great Britain al lowed the product to come into the United States.
 Issues First Statement.
 The British embassy last night is- sued it's first statement on the ship ping situation since the publication of the American note. It cleared up one point on which the United States had asked for information, by an- nouncing that turpentine and rosin. shipped from this country before thone articles were declared contraband, would be paid for when seized. The statement said:
 "Turpentine and rosin shipped be- fore the publication Of the order placing them on the contraband list will be paid for.
 All copper shipped before the date of the declaration that copper was contra band has been paid for or re- leased.
 No Cargoes Held Up.
 "No cargoes for Italy have been held up at Gibraltar since December {. Italian ships carrying cargoes of of which export from italy is prohibited, are not interferred with unless there is clear evidence of fraudulent intentions on the part Of shippers.
 Negotiations are proceeding in london with a view to the removal of he embargo on rubber against a pledge not to export. similar to that rranged with regard to German anil inc dyes. Tine negotiations have ,een retarded by the discovery or hipments of rubber from the United states to Europe under disguise