Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-05-22
Two Issues of Fact Between Countries, Make Prompt
 Action, Necessary.
PROPOSED ACTION
 LONG CONTEMPLATED
Following Cabinet Meeting, Secretary Bryan Says That Note on Shipping Rights Was Considered Before
 Lusitanfa Tragedy.


 issues of fact between the United States anr the British foreign office develope dtoday at the state depart ment. These issues have become the basis of balief that the United States will now have to expedite its new note to Great Britain and make stronger representations than here tofore against her violations of the. rights of American and neutral ship ping.
 The cabinet today discussed the "explanitory memorandum" of Great Britain, published today, on her de- tention of American ships and cotton cargoes.
 In this memorandum, Great Britain contends that the United States was a party officially to the pending dis position of cotton cargoes now held up in British ports.
 U. s. In False Position.
 lAfter the cabinet meeting, Secre- tary Bryan issued a statement, de- clarlng the arrangements as to cot ton were made between the foreign trade advices of the state department cotton shippers and the British embassy, and that this government does not regard those agreements as .'in any way binding the United States government by, any agreement reached. ses.'t
 Secretary Bryan declared that any Arrangements as to cotton were purely informal, and that it was so understood by all concerned at the time they were made. MT. Bryan, in his statement, also indicates that the foreign trade advisers of this govern ment could not discuss with the British embassy the general ques- tions of the rights of neutral ship ping.
 Another issue raised by the British memorandum is that she contends that the American ship, Joseph W.. Fordney, captured by Great Britain and taken into Kirkwall on April 8, had with the evident desire to evade into Norwegian territorial waters"
 This statement is absolutely and flatly denied by the captain of the Joseph w. Fordney, which is now on record at the state department.
 Note Long Considered
 It was regarded as significant that Secretary Bryan, after discussing the issues with Great Britain as to the cotton dctentions, admitted, for hel first time, that the government had under consideration the sending of a 1rfa fo Dri n To loI hot it had been under consideration be- fore the tragedy of the Lusitania.
 The other points made in the Brit ish memorandum such as that only three American ships are held; that she is stopping vessels because of suspicious conduct" that cargoes were really "destined for Germany" that the nuJlber of neutral vessels carrying American cargoes held up is only 36, and that Great Britain proposes to do better in the future, are regarded by officials here as . simple reiteration of previous state ments made by Sir Edward Grey. |,
 One high official today said that the British foreign official had been disposed to make large concession to the United States but that the foreign office had been blocked by the obstinacy of the admiralty. This of- ficial says that Great Britain, in answering the new note, may be ex- pected to make some definite conces- sions which will be particularly favorable to the large commerce of the United States. Otherwise, he said, there will be cause for very strenuous diplomacy between Great |Britain and the United States.