Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-23
BLOCKADE IS NOT
ACCEPTED BY U. S.
Bryan Issues Statement America Has
Not Recognized Order as I'm.
piled by British Note.
MISTAKE SAYS SPRING. RICE

WASHINGTON, May 21.-Presi-
dent Wilson and his cabinet met to-
day for the first time since they
gathered ten days ago and approved
the note, which the United States
subsequently sent to Germany as a
protest against the sinking Of the
Lusitania with the loss OF more than
100 American lives.
In the absence of any definite
news from Berlin. there was no dis
cussion, it was understood, Of the
probable contents OF a reply which
Germany is preparing.
Not Recognition.
When the cabinet met there had been
published here a memorandum given out
in London by the British foreign office.
saying the arrangements being made by
Great Britain with American cotton in
terests for disposition of their cargo were
understood to be acceptable to the United
States. Later Secretary Bryan gave out
a statement declaring that whatever had
been done by representatives of tho State
department 10 assist the cotton interests
had been OF an unofficial and informal
character, and was not ito be construed
as a recognition of the oider-in-council,'
issued by Great Britain.
Tonight Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. tho Brit
ish ambassador issued a statement ex-
planning that this was also his under
standing and suggesting that there had
been some mistake in Geographic trans
mission or erroneous impressions had
been given British officials in London
by representatives Of the American cot
ton interests.
No Reply Received.
The United States has never received
a reply to It's note OF March %. In which
the British order-in-oouncil proclaiming
an embargo on all neutral commerce d.
rectly or indirectly with Germany al
ways declared to be a violation Of in
ternationaI law.
In view OF the continued definitions OF
American cargoes under the order-in-
council a note was prepared a week be-
fore the Lusitania disaster occurred.
which was to be sent. to the allies as
soon as further data on interference with
American shipping could be secured. In
some quarters there MAJ been dispo-
sition TO urge the dispatch Of the note
40 Great Britain at this time, because of
the conviction It might convey to the
German government of the purpose OF
the United States to obtain an adherence
to international law on the part Of the
allies.
Discussion Brief.
There was but brief discussion OF the
question today among cabinet officials.
as President Wilson had previously re-
solved that the situation with Germany
ought not TO be complicated with any
new correspondence with Great Britain.
He took the position that the questions
raised over the sinking of the Lusitanta
had been settled on their merits TIRE
spective OF other controversies, which
the United States might have with other
beliIgerents. holding moreover that the
German government should naturally
have every confidence in the intention
of the United States to bring about an
adherence TO international law wherever
its rights were violated.
1t is certainp therefore. that the note to
Great Britain. which has been prepared
for some time, Will not be sent until
after the German reply is received. When
asked concerning the proposed note, Sec
rotary Bryan said:
No New Representations.
I'VE have the subject under considera-
ton No new representations have been
made to Great Britain"
That the United States is prepared to
controvert further the right of Great
Britain to enforce virtually blockade
against neutral countries OBTAINING car
goes of nom northumberland shipments
consigned to neutral ports irrespective
of destination, was the intimation con-
veyed by Secretary Bryan In state
ment regarding the British foreign Of
flee memorandum.
Notwithstanding the Misunderstanding
and conflicting statements with reference
to the arrangements between the cotton
interests and the British government, the
memorandum issued by the British
foreign office attracted much attention.
It was generally regarded as having been
put out to anticipate complaint by the
United States OIL various detentions of
American cargoes. 1t did not. officials
noted refer to the legal principles I'M
der which the American cargoes are be-
ing detained and purchased by the pro-
visions of the order-in-council. 1t is this
against which the American government
is preparing to protest.