New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-01
BRITISH SHOWING
RESENTMENT SIGNS
But Only Most Friendly
Tone Is Adopted in
Public Discussion.
PRESS SILENT ON
BASIS OF PROTEST
All Sides Confident Conditions
Will Be Remedied Without
Real Friction.
fny c.bl. 70 TIE Tibun, !


fBy cab. 20 TIE Iribuns
London, Dec. 3l.-lt is becoming IN
creasingly evident that underneath the
friendly attitude of the Foreign Of
flee, Of all officials Of the government
and OF most newspapers which by
now arc well trained in retraining
from comment which might cause IN
due resentment abroad-there IS re-
sentiment over the American note pro-
testing 20 England against undue
search Of American cargoes.
There is 10 thought now that the
American attitude will lead to I'M
toward results. That actual difficulties
between the two countries may ensle
is scoffed at on all sides. War is con
sidered utterly impossible in all cir
c,es, if for no other reaso than that
the British government will find it pos
sible TO remedy :he conditions TO
which Washington objects. II is posi-
BILE. however, that some OF the bitter
ness which evidently is felt will he al
leviated with the publication to-mor-
row morning of the full text or tne
American note, which the Foreign VI
fee gave out tonight.
IL is declared that, while the caoled
press summary of the note is correct IN
substance, it does not properly renect
the amicable tone and spirit of the COM
plete document. That is the principal
reason for the Foreign Office publish,
ing the whole thing. IL IS considered
unfortunate that n more complete de-
scription at least was not given out
here simultaneously with the publlca-
ton IN Washington.
Ambassador Page visited SIT EDWARD
Grey today. 1t might be said that ms
visit to the Foreign Secretary initiates
negotiations on the subject, although
ga matter of fact, they did not go at
all deeply into the problem. There VIII
be future conferences, and the British
govern ment will give a speedy reply,
according to stateFentS by the Foreign
Office to-day.
Seeks Contraband Agreement.
In an effort TO alleviate the condition
of which America complains by making
"watertight" those neutral countries to
which contraband might be exported,
as outlined in these dispatches last
night, one Of the main considerations
will be TO endeavbP to get those neutral
states TO adjust their cOntraband lists
TO coincide with the list which Eng
land has made. Under present condl-
tions these various neutral states have
prohibited the re-exportation OF nu-
merous articles which Great Britain
declares are contraband, but not all OF
them, the neutral states not agreeing
with British definitions in all cases OF
what is actually contraband.
An outstanding feature of the situa-
ton is that the negotiations are bound
TO be protracted.
Generally the press comment contin-
ues favorable, although 1t is evident
that all the newspapers are laborlng
under a lack of fScts. Little or no at
itention is given 70 the actual basis OF
the American complaints. Nothing IS
said concerning the inteTminaOle de-
laws to which American cargoes have
been subjected. Virtually all the
comment concerns international usage
and ideals. and frequent stress is laid
on the fact that Great Britain is fight
ing for America as we'll as herself.
Little has been printed here of the
speciic things of which America com
plains the most President Wilson
statement concerning false maniiests,
improper efforts at smuggling, etc, at
tract much attention and are taken as
proof Of British justification IN all
measures adopted.
t Evidence Kept Secret.
Il appears impossible, however, to
obtain from official sources the actual
evidence which il is stated the British
Government has of concealed copper in
cotton bales. false manifests, etc. The
Tribune correspondent for several
weeks has been seeking such evidence
hut has not obtained il. One official
stated it could not be had for the rea-
son that revealing these things would
indicate 10 dishonest exporters that
their articles had been discovered
whereupon they would resort to other
lodges.
A report was circulated here TO-DAY
from Petrograd that the Scandinavian
kings recently decided that Scandi-
navian warships should accompany
their merchantmen. Inquiry at the
Norwegian and Swedish legations to-
day brought no confirmation of this re-
port.
Sweden. Norway and Denmark are
deeply interested in the outcome of the
American negotiations, as are Holland
and Italy. The northern neutrals. al
least, have protests of their own pend
ing before the British government
somewhat similar to those made by
America They all object to the man
ner Of searching ships adopted by the
British navy, and also TO the Britt
definitions Of contraband.
It seems possible that solution
cannot be reached without some gen.
eral conference. Further investigation
| indicates more than ever that the main
difficulty lies with the British Ad'
miralty, which, immersed in war prob
/ lens and imbued with the thought that
England is fighting for life, has PAID
/ less attention to the susceptibilities OF
/ neutrals than the Foreign Office would
pay if solely in charge Of these mat
: tiers.
u