The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-02
REPLY PROMISED TO r AMERICAN NOTE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
(Continued from Page one)

not our business to chop logic with the government of the United States Sir Edward Gray may be trusted to give the government of President Wilson all the satisfaction it can properly ask while at the same time indicating with courtesy and firmness the measures which this country must advocate"
 The Nation says:
 We confess to feeling some regret as to the form of America's note. We wish 1t had been somewhat differently ex- pressed and dispatched in accordance with tho accustomed way--we will not say of diplomacy but of friendly correspondence
 Two Ways of Controversy
 There are two ways of conducting a controversy of public interest. man may give his correspondent the sole ben eff, of his mind, or he may turn a mis- sive into a missile by dispatching one copy of 1t to the press at or before the hour of it's receipt by the person im- mediate1y concerned. It appears the American state department chose the lat ter course, but there is no call to turn an error of tact into one of substance
 For the rest there is no deeply serious cause for complaint. It was inevitable that & nation not at war should fail 70 understand the difficulties of one that is, especially when the interests of belligerent and neutral confiict.''
 The Nation says the war to some extent is one of economic exhaustion, but more ono of ammunition, which declares already Is approaching the period of deteriora- ton. The allies, it adds, think it essen- tial to prevent materials of war. especial ly copper and antimony, from reaching the German army, but that the right of search is not the perfect instrument for this, as it implies the. overhauing of cargoes and the detention, delay and deterloration Of perishable goods. It adds that if the United States is hostile on the merits of the war the process must appear to be aa unmitigated nuisance, but if the United States syfnpathizes with the allies, she must be conscious of a divided mind. She has her own trade interests to consider. it declares, and also is interested in bringing the war to an end and to a right end.
 Economic Exhaustion
 The Nation says each party owes duty to the other. It expresses doubt if a serious attempt has been made to cur tail Germany's food supply, and says it hopes that no food will be stopped unless 1t is destined for the army The news- paper considers the enormous Italian in- ports of copper probably have been due to war preparations.
 Tt Is indeed the general attitude" the Nation concludes, which is the real test oA lno ie,d'iousnip ol great friendly coun- tries under stress of a worldwide war Granted we have annoyed American trad CTS by making contra band some of their southern products, as well as by our em- baigo on the export of rubber and wool. 1t is for us to show that there has been reasonable consideration for fair tradi... and for America to show that there has been proper policing of unfair traffic for high profits. Speculative shippers of all countries rush into such ventures in times of war, but they are mere dealers in in ternational mischief. and the special plaques of their own governments. Here Is no cause for Anglo-American friction.'