The sun., 1916-10-04

~ ~ 49, 49, -
the Lusitania controversy than the
period between October is and Novem-
Der :"
Britain's Reply Awaited.
Great Britain's complete reply to the
American protest on mall seizure s is ex-
I.c;ed in Washington this week. That II
Will be unsatisfactory Is taken as a mat
ier OF course.
Already. IL was learned to-day. the
State Department has taken occasion 10
'cqua.nt the British Embassy. infor-
:taliy. OF It's d!spleasure at certain Incl
cents connected with the recent confer
.nre IN New York between Sir Richard
Crawford. the commercial adviser of the
Embassy. and representatives Of Amer!-
can business concerns seeking relief from
the structures imposed by the British
Government IN American trade.
temporarily. at least. the matter has
teen smoothed over by explanations.
.qually informal. from the embassy. to
the effect that Sir Richard went to New
York In response to IN invitation from
'A-se business men, and In no sense in
tended to be put in the position Of isnor-
jig The State Department and dealing
directly with the aggrieved parties con-
cerning matters in diplomatic dispute be-
tween the two nations.
As a matter of fact. II was learned
iha, before going TO New York Sir Rich
aid called on Secretary Lansing to ex-
plain the purpose Of his visit. but that
the incidents that occurred at the meet
lng with the business men. In the opin-
ion OF State Department officials. went
ieyond what Mr., Lansing was given to
u'derstand would be the limits Of dis
c9ssion.
Deadlock Looked For.
Upon the assumption that the English
answer concerning mails will be no more
satisfactory thar the blockade attitude.
democrats base their belief that before
very long the various issues tive the
Two governments will have become Sc
rously deadlocked. They even look for
resort by the President to the various
trade reprisals which Congress author
izrd him to undertake, the State Depart
mcnt stoutly maintaining its position OF
denying that the provisions Of law
adopted are In any sense unconstitutional
or otherwise invalid.
There In fuel a-pienty for the develop
ment Of q hot dispute between the two
governments. II In pointed out. This Is
taken to be evident from the fact that the
British Government. while thus far evad-
ing a direct denial Of the American de-
mands for relief. has nevertheless con-
tHued with increasing aggravation the
practices complained Of. The fact. say
he Democratic leaders. that the State
Department has permitted the negotia-
..ons to drag on will only the more
strongly Justify the Administration In de-
liyering-between now n November Z
"a sharp blast. or a series OF SHARP
blasts. calculated to bring matters to a
sudden head.
The British blacklist decree and the
violation OF American mails by the Brit
4, lsh censors, In the opinion OF leaders
trd officials alike. offer the most conven
i"n, issues upon Which the American
Government may demand a definite re-
snonse. In both OF these matters. the
STATE Department appears to believe. the
Bin sh have departed entirely from pre-
oedrnts and nave launched upon lawless
methods. On the other hand. the issues
rogarding the blockade and the questions
of contraband are to such an extent in
vowed by the difficulty In istinguishin
the practices under them from the prac'
tees followed by the American Govern
uert In the civil var blockade as tt
make the questions at least debatable.
The Lusitania Case.
Meanwhile. there IL every indication
! ~ = the way IL being paved at IN
SAFE DE- rtment for "A resumption o
'hr Informal conversations betweei
s.. r.iary OF State Lansing and Coun
~ Bernstorff. the German Ambassador
regarding the Lusitan!a controversy
WHOM conversations were so abrupt.
s., ended by the armed merchantmen
t'Dtrire decree OF Germany las
eng and the destruction OF the Chan
l.. 9'eamer Sussex.
T. is minated by those In authorit
- he State Department that the salts
e TORY amends offered by Germany Il
~" Sussex case left the way open 10
'Ho Informal conversations to be re
hIirod-intimated no strongly, indeed. n
- - Interpreted in many quarters a
q direct invitation to Count Won Berns
'ylH, who has returned to Wdshingto
ron his summer home on Long lslanc
" All at the department. The depart
n'r' !s still. so far as can he ascer
tared, without any Information what
ever n esponse 10 its repeated ir
".trS concerning he punishmeT
noted out TO the commander OF the sui
rfr.ne which attacked the Sussex, bI
r. all events there IN no Indication tina
ms missing detail will be permitted I
h'arf In the way OF a resumption OF III
''onNcrsations."
Moreover. tho state Departmcr
slows m disposition 20 regard the n
cent series Of Incidents Of nerchaT
snlps sent TO the bottom. presumably D