Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-17
Full Correspondence to Be
Given Out Late Today by
State Department.
WILSON is CONSULTING
WITH NAVAL OFFICERS
Will Get Their Views Before Draft
ing Rejoinder to British Replies
on Neutrals' Rights.

With the announcement at the State
Department today that the complete
tax of the correspondence between the
United States and the belligerent ma
tions respecting the rights of neutrals
would be given out late this afternoon,
interest was renewed in the probable
course of the American government In
seeking free commercial intercourse
with the other countries.
This correspondent includes the
British order in council aimed at the
stoppage of all commerce by sea to and
from Germany, together with the full
text of the notes to and from Great
Britain and Germany In which the
United States sought TO bring about
an abandonment of submarine warfare
and the shipping of conditional contra
band to civilians.
1t had also been arranged to make
public late today the British reply to
the American note of inquiry as to how
the British embargo on commerce with
Germany was to be carried out in prac-
tice.
The situation resulting from the COM
mercial blockade continued today to
absorb official attention. The fact that
the British order failed to afford
American commerce with other neu-
trails relief from interference is dis
appointing to officials
Expect Strong Protest.
1t is generally believed here that Wig
orous protest will be made against the
action of the British government.
Senator Walsh of Montana, who dis
cussed the situation with President
Wilson last night. strongly favors such
step. He said afterward that sena-
tors generally regretted that Con-
sress had not empowered the President
to place an embargo on American ex-
ports to the belligerents, although he
did not believe that the President
would call an extra session for that
purpose.
The activity of submarines has made
the maintenance of an effective block
ade near the German coast a hazardous
performance. and officials regard the
order in council as extending the op-
erations of the blockade to any point
on the high seas. 1t was because OF
this, it is believed here. that Great
Britain thought it expedient to con-
cede point on the right Of absolute
cOnf1scation, which prevails under an
effective blockade.
To Consult Naval Officers.
1t is expected that before the Amer
lean government sends its next com
munica ton on the subject of the allies,
navy officers versed in international
law will be consulted, because of the
possible effects of expressions by the
United States at this time on the op-
erations of the American feet in case
of a future war.
That the United. States had obtained
little satsfacti from it's previous
protests was agreed in official quarters
and the practical futility of further
protests was admitted. unless measures
of retaliation are to accompany it.
American Ambassador Sharp at Paris
ca bled the State Department that the
French government had made additions
to its list of contraband similar to the
latest British additions.
Can Fill Cotton Contracts.
Further modification of the restric-
upon by Great Britain will give safe pas
sage to cotton for which contract Of
sale had been made before March =, as
well as cotton for which freight en-
gagements had been made before that
date.
The original order permitted only
such cotton as had been both engaged
for shipment and contracted for be
the ships must sail not later than
March 81.
The arrangement was made to permit
Americans to fulfill contracts and
sales made before the allies undertook
to stop shipments to Germany.