Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-12
BRITISH NOTE IS
Unsatisfactory
TO WASHINGTON
II Comedies Principles Laid Down
in Protest, but Refuses to Stop
Practices Complained Of
by Americans.
ITS FIGURES ARE MISLEADING
War Itself is to Blame Largely for
the Increase of Exports to
Scandinavia.
OTHER SUPPLIES ARE CUT OFF


WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE
United States government, It became
known today, is not altogether salts
fled with the note of Sir Edward
Grey giving Great Britains prelim-
mary reply to President. Wilson's
protest concerning the treatment OF
American commerce by the British
fleet.
While gratified that Great Britain ad-
mits the Justice of practically all the
principles OF international law cited in
the American note officials reiterated to-
day that the chief difficulty had been
England's neglect to make its actual
practice square with the previously ae-
cepted rules OF international law.
II is realised by officials ! ere that
long diplomatic correspondence conced-
Ing the principles of the American case.
but not actually carrying them into prac-
tice, Will not meet the complaints of
American exporters and shippers, and al
though England's supplementary answer
Is expected to give a more detailed state
ment of its position, officials plan to
take up vigorously all individual cases
which may meanwhile arise.
Main Point is Avoided.
Officials are keenly appreciative Of the
friendly tone OF the British note and Of
the plSmises II makes for redress in case
of unwarranted injury TO American COM
merce. They point out. however. that the
note in its citation OF statistics had not
taken up one OF the chief points of the
American. argument. The British statis-
tics were brought forward 90 argue that
American commerce with neutral coun-
Ptrles had not suffered Ns seriously as
had been represented. but administration
officials here contend that one Of the
chief purposes OF the American protest
was to prevent depletion of American
commerce by continuation of British
practices The American note, they said.
was framed with the very idea OF fore
stalling destruction of American trade.
British Figures MisIeading.
Figures cited IN the British note, in the
view Of officials here. are misleading. be-
cause much OF the noncontrsband goods
which ordinarily go direct to Germany
aud Austria has really bcen shipped to
neutral countries because OF the scarcity
Similarly. the desire OF Germany ana
Austria to use all surplus production has
deprived contiguous countries of many
raw materials which they now are COM
PEELED to import from the United States
Such increases In total exports from the
United States. officials here say. would
conceal the real injury to some American
industries because OF their apparent
growth in trade with individual coun-
tries.
Englabds statement that out OF ns
ships which proceeded from the United
States 90 neutral countries in Europe
since the outbreak Of the war only forty :
five had had eargoes placed In the prize
courts. while only eight Of the ships
themselves had gotten into the courts,
was regarded by officials and diplomats .
here as proving that the bulk of Ameri-
can commerce was OF legitimate char
acter and had yielded only forty-five
doubtful cases. There is no mention
made in THE British note. on the other
hand, of the large number OF american
ships which were detained, some of them
for two weeks, for extended examination.
Law Of blockade violated.
In the next communication which the
United States will send 10 England as a
rejoinder, the British view that ships
must be taken into ports for examination
instead OF being searched on the high
seas. Is expected 70 be vigorously dis
puted. There is some doubt. not in
frequently expressed here among e.
ficials. Of whether the practice If the
british fleet practically blockading The
high seas instead OF German ports chem
selves is not contrary 20 the fundaments
principles Of a blockade.
II is not unlikely that before the Amer
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