Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-11
Fuller Statement Of EngIand'S
Position Is Promised After
Contents of American Note
Are DigeSted,
AGREES IN GENERAL TO
WASHINGTON LETTER
Points Out Reasons Why
Certain Exports Must Be
Treated as Absolute Con-
traband by Allies,


tsv uonnina JOURNAL spsclsl lsssso wissi
Washington. Jan. i0--Great Bri-
tains preliminary reply to the note
from the United States government
requesting an improvement in the
treatment Of American commerce by
the British fleet was made public here
and in London today by mutual
agreement between the state depart
ment and the British foreign office.
The British communication concurs
in the view of the United states that
commerce between neutral nations
should be interfered with only when
imperatively necessary and officials
Of the Washington government con-
strued II as conceding that the prin-
ciples expressed by the American note
were Just and upheld by the previous
~ accepted usages Of international
law.
Bryan Makes No Comment.
The only formal comment made to-
night was contained In a brief state
ment issued by Secretary Bryan, who
said
''rhls answer being preliminary and
not being Intended as a complete re-
ply, we viii postpone our comment
until the full answer is received"
Briefly the British note, while con
ceding the principles of the Ameri-
can governments contentious, points
out difficulties in actual practice, re-
fers TO alleged fraudulent practices
by shippers and cites statistics show
ing an increase. rather than de-
crease in certain neutral commerce,
in support OF Great Britains suapi-
clons that Germany and Austria have
been indirectly obtaining contraband
through neutral countries. The noto
promises. however. that Great Britain
'will make redress" whenever the ac-
ton of the British fleet may unin-
tentionally exceed" the limits of In
ternational law.
Full Text of Reply.
The full text Of the note follows:
"The British secretary of state for
foreign affairs to the American am
bassador:
Foreign office. January Z, 1915.
"Your Excellency. | have the honor
to acknowledge receipt Of your note
of the 2Sth of December.
"It is being carefully examined and
the points raised In II are receiving
consideration, as the result OF which
Il reply shall be addressed to your ex-
cellency, dealing in detail with the
issues raised and the points TO when
the United states government has
drawn attention. This consideration
ana the preparation forthwith VIII
necessarily require some time and
therefore desire TO send without fur
ther delay. some preliminary observa-
tions which Will, trust. help to clear
the ground and remove some miscon-
ceptions that seem 20 exist.
Recognize Friendly Spirit.
Let us say at once that we entirely
recognize the most friendly spirit, re-
ferred to by your exoellency. and that
we desire to reply In the same spirit.
and In the belief that, as your excellen-
cy states. frankness viii best serve the
continuance Of cordial relations be-
His majcstys government cordial
ly concurs in the principle enunciated
By the government vt the United
States that a bclliaefent in dealing
with trade between neutrals, should
not interfere, unless such interference
Is necessary to protect the belligerent's
national safety aud then only to tho
extent to which this is necessary. We
shalt endeavor to keep cur action
within the limits Of this principle, on
the understanding that II admits our
right to Interference when such in-
reference Is not with bona fide"
trade between the United States and
neutral country, but with
trade in contraband destined for the
enemy's country, and we are ready
whenever our action may uninten-
tionally exceed this principle 10
make redress
Not Much Interference.
"Wc think that much msconcep-
lion exists as to the extent to which
we have, IN practice, interfered with
trade Your eXeellencys note seems
To hold hit nlaJestys government re-
sponslhle for The present condition of
trade with neutral countries, aud It IS
stated that, through The action Of his
malesiys goYefnment ne products
of ihe great Industries 0f the United
States nave been denied long eatab-
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