Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-22
j. S. WILL PROTEST
AGAIN TO ENGLAND
Prepared to Controvert Further
Right to Enforce Blockade
Against, Neutral Nations.
NO REPLY TO MARCH 80 NOTE
Situation With Germany to Be
Cleared Up Before Correspon-
dence With Great Britain.
NO REPLY TO MARCH 80 NOTE

dence With Great Britain.
WASHINGTON. May 2l.-Prcsident
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 substantially sent to
Germany as n protest against the sink
Ing OF the Lusitania. with the loss OF
moro than 100 American lives.
In the absence Of any definite news
from Berlin. there was no discussion, 1t
was understood. Of the probable con-
tents Of Germany's reply.
When the Cabinet met there had been
published here a British Foreign Office
memorandum. saying the arrange
mcnts being made by Great Britain
with American cotton interests for dis
position of their cargoes were under
stood TO be acceptable toSthe United
states. Later Secretary Bryan gave
out statement declaring that what
ever had been done by State Depart
mcnt representatives TO assist the cot
ton interests had been of an unofficial
character, and WAS not TO "be CON
strued as recognition of the order in
council' issued by Great Britain.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British
ambassador, issued a statement to-
night explaining that this also was his
understanding.
RECEIVES 40 REPLY
TO NOTE OF MARCH 30
The United States has received no
reply TO its note of March 30, in which
the British order in council was de-
clared TO be violation of international
law.
In view of continued detention of
American carGoes. further protest
was prepared week before the Lusi-
tania disaster, TO be sent as soon as
further data on interference with
American shipping could he obtained.
In some official quarters it has been
urged that the note be dispatched now.
because Of the conviction IL mich,
convey TO Germany of the purpose of
the United states TO obtain an adher-
ence TO International law by the allies
There was brief discussion of the
subject to-day by officials, and Presi-
dent Wilson said the situation with
Germany ought not to be complica ted
with any correspondence with Great
Britain. and it is certain the note will
not be issued until after the German
reply is received.
That the United States is prepared
to controvert further the right OF
Great Britain to enforce virtually n
blockade against neutral countries, de-
tanning carGocs on noncontraband, was
the intimation conveyed by Secretary
Bryans statement regarding the Brit
ish Foreign Office Incmor-rcum
BRYAN'S STATEMENT
REGARDING AGREEMENT
Secretary Bryan's statement follows:
THE foreign trade advisers atten-
tion has been called 10 the statement
of the Foreign Office of Great Britain.
published in this mornings papers, an
extract from which follows:
Fourth. In accepting this scheme,
which il may be noted applies to shin
m"nts OF cotton for neutral dcstina-
tion only. the principal representative
of the American cotton interests de-
scrbed it to His Majcsty's ambas ssador
ct Washington as conceding all that
the American interests could properly
ask. 1t never was suggested that YES
sells or carEoes with an enemy destina-
tion should he allowed 10 proceed His
Majestys government were moreover.
given TO understand that the provisions
of the arrangements were acceptable
TO the United States government
Tho plan referred 10 is the one
which was entered into between the
cotton shippers Of this country and
the British embassy, n portion OF which
is quoted in the statement of the Brit
ish Foreign Office
Without discussing at this time the
statement that 1T was never suggested
that vessels or carroes with an enemy
destination should he allowed to pro-
ceed, the foreign trade advisers who
informally and unoiiicially represented
the cotton shippers in the negotiations
which led up TO the so-called cotton
arrangement. state that it was dis
tinctly understood between Sir Cecil
Arthur Spring Rice, the British am
bassador at Washington, and Robert
+. Rose. the foreign trade adviser con-
ducting this discussion on behalf Of
the American cotton exporters. that
nothing done by the foreign trade ad-
visers should be regarded as official.
and that everything done was to be
considered as informal and unofficial
and in no way binding the United
States government to any arrangement
reached. or he construed as recognition
of the order in council TO be issued or
the declaration OF March /, which had
been issued
DID NOT IN ANY MANNER
REPRESENT GOVERNMENT
This statement was made to the
British ambassador on March 3, when
the first conference in the matter was
held. was repeated on each subsequent
conference. and each time the absolute
assurance from the British ambassador
was received that, in acting for the
cotton shippers in any way. the foreign
trade advisers were to he regarded as
not representing the United States
government in any manner
THE American embassy at London
cablcd to the State Department to-day
that 1t had on record, covering the en-
tire period since war began. the names
of thirty-three ships carrying cargoes
of American cotton which have been
detained by Great Britain. OF these
4, t1,, -