The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-15
BRITAIN TO
RELAX ORDER?
Washington Hopeful That
Blockade Will Be
Modified
MAY HELP DEALING
WITH GERMANY
Reply Is Delayed to Pre-
vent Embarrassing
Situation

Washington, June ia new element
of cheer in the German situation devel-
ops in the hopeful confidence that Great
Britain voluntarily will contribute to
ease the strain by an administrative
modification of her order in council of
March Is. 1t is understood here that
the failure of the British government to
reply to the American protest of March
80 has been due in part to desire not
to embarrass the United States in its
dealings with Germany. While this rea-
son would furnish no excuse for silence
up to the date of the sinking of the Lus-
itania, the British government apparent
| ly is not unmoved by the knowledge that
a sharp note of protest to Great Britain
over her high-handed interference with
American commerce has been in course of
preparation by the state department for
some time and by the presidents signif-
cant reference to Great Britain in the
Lansing note of June g. This reference
while conceding no more recognition to
the controversy with Great Britain as a
factor in negotiations with Germany
than appeared in the first Lusitania note
of May Is nevertheless has been taken as
a hint that if the British government de- |
sires to act in good faith toward the
United States in the treatment of neu-
trail commerce, it is In position to do |
So Great Britain naturally desires to
avoid diverting condemnatory statement |
toward herself, and while it is generally |
recognized that the United States gov
eminent will refuse to permit the British
situation to become factor in treating
with Germany, it is clear that German
public opinion is dangerously concerned
with the British embargo. The United
States is at the point of proceeding
against Great Britain with much the
same vigor as against Germany. Pres
sure for action along this line is increas-
ing steadily not for the craven reason
advanced by Bryan that such action
should be used as lever to move Ger
many, but because American business in.
terests are bitterly denouncing the ad
for permitting ultra legal
acts by Great Britain on the high seas
TO tie up millions of dollars worth of
American ships and produce without jus
LITIGATION. ,
From the first the state department Z
has pussyfooted over the detention OF !
American cargoes by the British govern +
nent. Complaints began to be made in !
August, vet il was not until Dec. 26 that a
Bryan transmitted to Ambas- +
'ador Page mild protest in which, /
still relying upon the deep sense OF
Justice of the British nation" he ex. q
pressed confidently the hope that his o
ma jesty's government will instruct its =
'tficials TO refrain from all unnecessary
Interference with the freedom of trade
,etween nations which are sufferers, r
hough not part participants in the pres.
mt conflict This long delayed remon-
trance sought 10 employ moral suasion II
nd the force of public opinion by point
ng out that the course of Great Britain II
may arouse feeling contrary TO that
which has so long existed between the II
american and British people" This slap
n the wrist, as the record shows, led TO II
othing more useful to the United States
han the British order in council of
iarch Is placing American commerce
Dmpletely at the mercy of British naval
iii
The contrary opinion" which Mr.. Bry-
n predicted has been gathering in
trength in the United States and now
nat the British policy has been made
n actual factor by Germany. the admin
tration is under the more stimulus 20
ait temporizing with the British gov
Now comes the hint that Great II
ritain, always kept fully informed az
J the trend Of American opinion. may II
'lieve the situation in a measure with
Il the necessity Of an exchange of notes
hich might give Germany further ex.
lac for embarrassing the United States.
IL Is noted with pleasure in official
relies that public opinion in Germany II
wv is split wide open and whereas that
untry has been represented as unani.
Gus in its refusal 20 make amends for
e Busitanis massacre and 70 promise
shall not he repeated. a large element
press and public is expressing the hope
at the controversy viii he settled
acesbly. The outcome. which NAV b.
mswhat delayed, will afford an inter.
ting test Of the power Of the German
reaucfacy 10 enharrass lie own cause
thout gain 70 the empire.