The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-01
Text of Communication Made
Public in Washington-"Un-
just Seizures" Are Cited
at Length
DOCUMENT COUCHED
in FRIENDLY LANGUAGE
Firm Determination To Safe
guard Rights of Citizens
Made Apparent

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The text
OF the note 10 Great BritalL protest
ing against interference with Ameri-
can shipping, was made public by
the state department last night.
Although couched in the most
friendly terms, the document indicat-
ed q firm determination on the part
Of this country TO safeguard the
rights of its citizens to engage in
commerce on the high seas.
The text of the note follows:
-The present condition of American
trade resulting from the frequent
seizures and detentions of American
carRoes destined to neutral European
PORTS has become so serious as TO re-
quire a candid statement OF the views
a this government, In order that the
BritiEh government may be fully ad-
vised as to the attitude of the United
States toward the policy which has
been pursued by the British authori-
ties during the present war.
''You will therefore communicate
the following TO his majesty's prin-
eipal secretary OF state for foreign
affairs, but in doing SO you will as
sure him that II is done In the most
friendly spirit and In the belief that
ffankness will better serve the con-
tinuance OF cordial relations between
the two countries than silence, which
may be misconstrred into ac-
! Aqafescence In a course Of conduct
.Fhich this government cannot but
consider to be an infringement upon
lie rights OF American citizens.
- aMyThe government of the United
ties has viewed, with growing con-
IN, the large number of vessels
a. lien with American goods destined
vi neutral ports In Europe which have
bIken seized on the high seas. taken
asao British ports and detained some
vicles for weeks by the British au:
81 orities. During the early days or
ate war this government assumed that
fhe policy adopted by the British gov
rernment was due 10 the unexpected
outbreak OF hostilities and the neces-
sity OF immediate action TO prevent
contraband from reaching the enemy.
"For this reason 1t was not dis
,osed TO Judge this policy harshly, or
protest II vigorously, although it was
nanifestly very Injurious to Ameri-
All tTdut WIFI lut utulldi
u Europe. This government. relying
confidently upon the high regard
which Great Britain has SO often ex-
hlbited in the past for the rights OF
other nations. confidently awaited
amendment OF a course of action
which denied TO neutral commerce the
freedom TO which II was entitled by
the law of nations.
This expectation seemed TO be
rendered the more assured by the
statement OF the foreign office. early
- November, that the British gov.
wment was satisfied with guaran-
lS<offered by the Norwegian, Swed-
fand Danish governments as to
iepk k-exportation If contraband goods
mplbn consigned to named persons in
Inv territories OF those governments,
ory that orders had been given to the
Q cash feet and customs authorities
estrict interference with neutral
TOEs carrying such cargees. so con-
IhE, to verification Of ships pa.
md cargoes.
Is therefore a matter OF deep
that, though nearly five months
,assed since the war began, the
government has not material.
- kanged its policy and does not
(Continued on Page Two).