The Washington times., 1915-01-04
Clash ] ON RIGHT TO
. DEFINE CONTRABAND
Great Britain Not Impressed by
J Protest Against Sudden
q Changes in Rulings.

As preliminary to the reply OF
the, british government to the Amcri-
"an-pr otest against seizure OF carsoes
and ships by Great Britain, Walter
Hines Page, American ambassador
at London. has made a report to the
state Department. which gives the
sritis, point of view Oh tho sub
;ect OF ship seizures and contraband.
Embassador Pages report indicated
mat an, enrly reply may be expected
from the, British government to tho
american note. 1t was designed 20
indicate to the United States what
mt6Et be expected in the British note.
After perusol OF the note officials
expressed the belief that II sharp
contest would arise between the
United States and Great Britain over
the latter's assumption of the right
TO be final arbiter of what shall con-
stitute contraband. The objections
made by this Government to Great
Britaihs transfer of articles over
night from the conditional TO the alb
solutc contraband list have not i'm
pressed Great Britain. according 20
the Page note, and Il contest over
this point is expected.
Challenge to England Seen.
4 canvass Of diplomatic circles today
revealed the fact that all Europe, cX-
ccpt the allies, of course, fecvently
hopes that the United States will bc
successful in maintaining its stand re-
garding the search and seizure Of neu-
trail vessels. Neutral European coun-
tries expect their commerce TO be
Sreatlv Increased IL tho United States
wins its contention. while the Teutonic
allies believe il will be possible for
them to obtain food and cotton, which
reaches them now only in uncertain
lots. Ono of the European countries
believes that If the I.1litcd States wins
1t will also mean ~ serious challenge
to England's supremacy OF the seas"
Because of the dclicacy of the SIT
uatiOn. public cXplNssiuns by dlplo-
mats would not be given Privately
they point out that Enc!ands attitude
so far in the war has caused the neu-
losses. Italy has had nearly every
'freisht-carrying vessc! detained at
gibraltar Holland, Norway. and
for days. 1t was stated, and because OF
tho high rates OF war risk insurance.
delays of several days have cost i'm
portcrs thousands OF dollars.
Holland Aids Importers.
: During the past few weeks Holland
was successful in remedying the situa-
ton to some extent by ordering that
all importers have their goods ship
ped in care Of the Dutch governments
Fhis enabled all legitimate imports TO
reach Holland without being deplayed.
hut It has caused no end of confusion
in Holland. it was said, because every
importer must go to the government
and give a complete outline of his pros
pective purchases.
It was necessary then for the GOV
ant n N tn -l,ntl
the goods ordered would reach Ger
many. After this point was settled the
merchant was permitted to pig sce his
order in the United states and have it
office' '' '''@
II the United States is successful in its
demands OF Great Britain, it was stated,
this will not be necessary.
Rules May Be Relaxed.
1t is believed bv those in close touch
with: German ana Austrian affairs that
IL Great Britain relaxes hel' efforts to
seize all vessels it will be possible for
food and cotton to reach German and
mat Germany has several million more
people to feed now than in normal
times, and that the question OF food is
becoming an important one.
Ono diplomat pointed out, however,
that he believed Grcut Britain would
cncouras" long diplomatic discussion Of
the note. and in the meantime relax hrr
Efforts to Interfere with al neutral shin
UnE, so that ovCr3ca commerce would
uoonl and tho people Of neutral conn
tries forget about the ,Iemalids in thc
note. lie thought England could not
-accedc to the wishes OF the United
states without losing her supremacy on
the sea.
Tho state Depart meut s discussing
freely with the neutral diplomats of
Europe tllc points in tn" British note,
believing that the step which President
Wilson has taken in the interest Of I1ru-
:raJ shipping throughout the world. Th.
rcutral nations themselves, fcCi, il ,vaS
stated, that success by the I nitcd States
viii benefit all ncutrals, while the bel
HgSrentl can hop" for little ADVANTAGE,