Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-08
ENGLAND'S REPLY
EXPECTED TODAY
Preliminary Note Discussed by
Cabinet, and Will Be For
warded Shortly.
LATER TO BE SUPPLEMENTED
Necessity of Consulting Allies
Makes 1t Impossible to Give
Detailed Response Now.

LONDON, January G:20 +. M).-
Englamd's preliminary reply TO the
American note concerning interruption
!,of American shipping by british war
ships was discussed by the Cabinet
to-day and Will be forwarded shortly.
probably Tomorrow, to the United
states government. This first reply
will be supplemented later by a more
detailed note framed after further in
quirics have been made.
No response to the preliminary note
| is expected from the United States.
| The note will be in the nature Of an
acknowledgment of the American pro-
test, and general statement of the
unusual conditions faced by England.
The necessity OF consulting her allies
makes II impossible for Great Britain
TO give an Immediate detailed response,
according to Foreign Office officials
Tnc text of the reply will not be
given out here until the American gov
ernment receives it and expresses Il
Willingness that it be made public.
II is pointed out that the American
not" makes no specific statements con-
corning particular cases on which it's
objections are based. and the British
preliminary reply will be no moro
|
menting widely upon what is termed the
apparent unwillngncss of both gov
ernments 10 disclose facts which would
enable formation OF more definite
idea of the nature of the controversy.
GREAT BRrTAIN'S REPLY
WHOLLY CONCIIIATORY
Great Britain's reply TO the United
States note on Interference with Amer
lean shipping, 1T is said in wcll-infor1n-
ed quarters, is wholly conciliatory and
shows a disposition to do everything
within reason to avert the delay of
cargOes.
England wishes to do everything In
its power consistent with the proper
safeguarding of the allies interests.
to facilitate world trade and stimulate
commerce. Consequently, it is de-
clared, there is no disposition on Eng
lands part to protest against the pur-
chase of German vessels by Americans
where the sales are genuine and the
ships are not used so as to avoid what
might reasonably be called conse-
quences of bciligerency
Use OF transferred German ships i'm
cotton trade with Germany probably
would call forth objections from tho
allies, although cotton is not contra
brand, because the allies it is said,
would regard such use Il roundabout
means of escaping wars effects
AT any rate, objection Is not likely
10 come until ships are actually trans
ferred and their prospective use is
clearly indicated. 1t is probable the
allies will take the position that the
sale money shall be held until the close
OF me war as a guarantee that it will
not be of help TO bcllgcrents.
An assurance that German ships pur-
chased by the United States govern
ment or its citizens. would engage
only in the South American trade,
probably would satisfy the allies
While IT is pointed out that the sale
OF German ships in New York to the
American government or it's citizens
would inevitably relieve German citi-
Zens of heavy expenses of maintenance
ana nsurance-undoubted copse-
auences OF war within the meaning Of
international practice-still England
propabiy would be willing to waive OBJ
Iections on that point were the vessels
10 enter trade in no way beneficial to
Germany, Austria or Turkey.
SURPRISED AT REPORTS
OF DENNER'S DETENTION
The Foreign Office to-day expressed
surprise at reports of the detention of
The steamer Denver ut the Orkney
islands Specific instructions we're
given that the Denver, which carried
cotton for Bremen, should not be de-
EEea longer than was necessary to
identify her
complaint was made TO the State
department at Washington yesterday
that the Mallory Line steamship Den
yer had been detained at the Orkney
Islands by British admiralty officials.
the State Department asked !,mbas
sador Page for report.