New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-28
A. w. Kirk, Attache of En-
bassy in Berlin, Sailed
with 1t Sunday.
LANSING SUDDENLY
BECOMES SILENT
Officials Only Expect Sharper
Definition of Issue, Leading
TO Arbitration.
From Tho Tribune Bureau.l

Washington, Oct 27.-The long de-
layed note to Great Britain, protesting
against illegal interference with Amer
lean commerce, is on its way to LONDON
by messenger. Secretary Lansing re-
fused to break the mysterious silence
which has been maintained, but 1t is
understood that the note was given 10
Alexander W. Kirk, who sailed on sun
day to return to his post as attache
Of the American Embassy in Berlin.
I. will be handed to Ambassador Page
next Monday.
The document is the first general
protest sent by the United States 70
Britain since March 80. At the time
of the resignation of Secretary Bryan,
in June, it was understood that the
latter was insistent on its immediate
dispatch. President Wilson. on ac-
count of the submarine controversy
with Germany, decided 20 await clarl-
fication of relations with the Berlin
Foreign Office before renewing repre-
sensations to Great Britain.
Why the administration refuses to
announce the sending Of the note is
a puzzle. 1t is believed, however, that
the President wished to escape criti-
cism for sending it by messenger IN
stead of telegraph, and planned TO
await its arrival in London before an
nouncng that it had been sent.
Mass of Statistics.
The note Is understood TO contain a
mass of statistical matter into when
errors would almost certainly creep
in transmission by telegraph. 1tis,
COUPLED with the fact that the docu.
ment is much longer than previous
similar communications, decided the
authorities against cable transmission.
Secretary Lansing adopted his policy
of silence on Friday last. Previous 10
that time. while he would not discuss
the contents Of the note, he denied
that il had been transmitted. On Fri
day he announced that answers TO ali
questions concerning the note or lts
transmission would be refused. Inc
Same day Mr.. Kirk left Washington.
The note had been in preparation ior
several months. 1t had been ready ior
transmission several times, but In each
instance pos,ponement or REVISION
was made necessary by unexpected DC
velopments. Great Britain twice
forced reconsideration of the State De
partment representations by sending
supplementary notes. For several
weeks. also. the administration felt
obliged TO withhold the note because
of the acuteness of the German con-
4 troversy.
To Define Issues.
State Department officials are NOT
hopeful that the new argument VIII
weigh more heavily with the British
Foreign Office than did its predeces-
sors. All that is expected is a sharper
definition OF the issue between the two
governments. When the differences
are clearly established. it is expected
that negotiations will be begun for the
arbitration of the dispute. d.
Alfred Urion. the American beer
hackers counsel who has been IN Lon
don comforting with British authori-
ties over interference with American
beef shipments, urged Secretary Ian,
sing to-day TO make vigorous specisi
representations TO Great Britain.
The packers want the United states
to demand reparation of upward OF
$4,000 900.