The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-01-01
BRITISH AWED BY :
AMERICAN NOTE;
STIR At CAPITAL
Wilson's Protest of More Interest
Than War News.
CONGRESS READY TO ACT
Senate and House Prepared to In
dorse Action Taken by the Presl-
dent-Document Not Re-
ceved Officially.

ceived Officially.
London, Dec. 30.-The American
note protesting against the British
treatment of American commerce and
insisting upon an early Improvement
came as a complete surprise to the
British public, as there had been vir-
tually no intimation that any friction
had arisen between the two govern
ments. MI
The placards posted by the evening
papers were given over exclusively to
the American note, and the papers
gave it the largest headlines they have
given any news during the last month.
! Consequently the British people regard
this as one of the most important oc-
currences of the whole war.
The morning papers hope some
point can be reached at which the de.
mands of the United States will be
satisfied but which will not interfere
with the absolute necessity of Great
Britain cutting off munitions of war
from it's enemies.
The situation is not altogether de-
void of gravity, however. The officials
at Downing street hope the United
States will realize Great Britains mill
tary necessities; but If it does not, a
disagreeable situation might arise.
Not Vet Officially Received.
The Washington note had not
reached the foreign Office in the after
noon, but it could not have been dealt
with had it arrived, as Sir Edward
Grey. secretary for foreign affairs,
has been away for the Christmas holt
days.
The first impression of the public
is that the note may create friction and
perhaps some unfriendly feeling, al
though the newspapers point out that
it specifically states that the represen-
tations were made in friendly spirit.
The situation is comparable to that
which arose at the time of the South
African war, when neutral shippers be-
gan to send cargoe1 intended for the
Transvaal republic to the neutral port
of Delagoa Bay. =.
Summarizes All Grievances.
The American stand has caused lit
tie surprise in official cir ,les, as nego-
tiations extending over several months
between Ambassador Page and For
eign Secretary Grey have centered
about the termination of the ultimate
destination of the American cargoes
in question, and the present protest
summarizes all the grievances of the
United States in this connection.
Tho British foreign office has con-
stantly reiterated it's regret at the de-
lay to American ships and high off,
Gals have expressed a desire to ex-
pedite the examination of American
cargoes as speedily as possible under
the existing trying conditions.
Question Of Trade Depression.
The statement that the delaying of
cargoes by the British authorities is
held responsible for a certain depres-
sion in American trade has created
some surprise among British off Gals,
who voiced the idea that Americans
| holding such views must fail to realize
the wide and sweeping effect upon
American commerce of the disappear
ance Of German merchant ships from
the sea, as well as other effects of the
war beyond the control of Great Bril-
tain and her allies.
The statement that this protest of
the United States is thoroughly ap-
proved by President Wilson has Gre
ated much comment here, and also
has added weight to its effect.
Ready to Uphold Protest.
Washington, Dec. 30.-The emphatic
note OF protest against unlawful and
unreasonable detention of American
cargoes sent to England by President
Wilson caused stir in diplomatic and
political circles.
/ In house and senate the stand taken
by the president received general in
dorsement, and the president will find
tnL necessary to sustain his demands.
During the day there were many
informal conferences among the diplo-
mas representing the neutral coun-
tries on the American continent, as
well as in Europe.
President Wilson told his callers
thct Great Britain would have to pay
eventually large damages for unlawful
detention of American cargoes. State
department. officials would. venture no
guess as to the size of the damage
Claims being accumulated by deter:
ons of American eargoes, but the
president himself predicted that mil
lions of dollars in private indemnities
eventually would have to be paid if the
correctness of the American position
as expressed in his note were main
t,>iaed. He confidently believed il
would be, as it was based on principles
O. international law hitherto generally
accepted.