The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-02
PROTESTS ON british POLICY
UNITED STATES ADDRESSES
NOTE no GREAT BRITAIN ON
.' NAVAL ACTION.
Calls Attention Co Injustice of Seizure
% Neutral Vessels on Suspicion
Urges Early Statement by England
of Its Intentions.

sou9 NOTE 10 Great Britain insisting
on an early improvement In the treat
ment Of American commerce by Brit
ish fleets. It warned England that
much ceiling had been aroused In
this country and that public criticism
was general over unwarranted inter-
ference with the legitimate foreign
trade Of the United States. The docu-
ment. constituting the strongest rep
resentation on the subject made By
the United States to any Of the bel
hgsrsnts. was cabled TO Ambassador
PnGe to be formally presented to Sir
EDWARD Grey. the British foreign Sec
rotary. IU preparation was begun
month $50 by Solicitor Cone johnson,
Counselor Robert Lansing and Sec
rotary Bryan. and during the last two
weeks had the personal attention of
President Wilson himself. who re-
vissd In phrseology with minute
care.
A. the detailed point Of view of the
United States in tho numerous specific
cases OF detentions and seizures of
caryoes had been set forth In series
Of emphatic protests. most Of which
have gone unheeded. todays COM
f. munication was couched In general
terms covering the entire subject of
the relations between the United
States and Great Britain as affected by
the iatter's naval policy. considered
highly Questionable to this govern
ment.
The note declares at the outset that
The Representations are made In
friendly spirit. but that the United
eentss considers II best to speak In
terms Of frankness lest silence be con-
srusd ~ an acQuiescence to q policy
Of Great Britain which infringes the
rights Of American citizens under the
laws Of the nations.
Since France has adopted virtually
the same DEGREES on contraband as
has Great Britain. today's note is q
statmsnt intended for all members
Of the Triple Entente.
The document points out that COM
plants on every side and public criti-
cism In the United States hold the
British policy as directly responsible
for the depression in many Ameri-
can industries. Reimbursement alone
Tor cargoes unlawfully detained or
ssissd. II states. does not remedy the
sul. a. the ci ief difficulty Is tho
moral effect Of British practice on
American expor' srs who are restrain
Cd from taking risks or hazards which
I'm no case ought to surround iegiti-
mate trade between the United States
and other neutral countries.
Feeling has been aroused on the
subject 70 such an extent, the COM
munication adds. that the American
government feels compelled to ask for
definite Information as to Great Brit
aims attitude In order that 1t may
take such measures as would protect
American citizens In their rights.
The United States. 1t points out.
was patient at FIRST. realizing that hos
Titles had heaped a mass Of bur-
dens on the British government and
thinking an early clearing of the air
would come. Five months have
slapssd. II asserts. with no improve
mont In the situation. In the mean
time. American shippers have availed
themselves Of various suggestions
from the British government. such as
shipping cargoes to def ,itely named
consignees In neutral countries and
the taking out Of certificates from
consuls In this country which follow
ed promises Of the British foreign
once that the allied fleets consequent
ly would cease detentions Of these
cargoes. The situation, however, is
described as having hardly improved
after these concessions.
Reference is made I'm the note TO
the high principles Of equity which
have actuated Great Britain In her
championship In the past In the free
dom OF the seas to- neutral com
merce. and tho hope Is expressed that
even though n belligerent herself, she
VIII realize the seriousness to the
neutrals OF continued interference.
Reserving until some other date the
discussion OF those articles which
Great Britain has taken from the gen.
orally accepted lists OF non-contra-
band and placed on the list Of abso-
lutte and conditional contraband, tho
American government declares that
the British fleets have been regard
Ing absolute and conditional contra