The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-19
REPORT BRITISH WILL
NOT HEED PROTESTS
United ssaeeA in Championing Rights
Of Neutrals. May Have Occasion to
Can Britain Very Emphattcaily to
Book.

Washington, Jan. Is.-High admin
istration officials said today that Great
Britain has answered the protests of
this government against interference
with our commerce BY her announce
nlent OF plans to extend her blockade.
1t was stated on authority that Latte
nations have reached the state De.
partment from private sources abroad
that Great Britain will disregard all
the protests or this government.
The Pritish foreign ONCE 10 declared
TO be making its plans to tighten the
blockade Of Germany without regard
to the rights of the United States The
protests already made by this govern
nent and the reports reaching Lon
don OF the preparation in Washing
ton Of vigorous note on the contra
band question are being ignored. it
Was authorize lively stated today, un-
I'll Great Britain has completed ali OF
her plans for shutting OF trade OF all
kinds with Germany. II was stated
that whom her blockade plans arc
complete Great Britain will answer the
United States. rejecting Its claims.
May Provoke Vigorous Excfaage.
Onlicials predicted today that Great
Britain's reply to the contraband note
and the previous American protests
Will provoke an exchange Of acrino-
NOUS notes. IT IL understood that
Great Britain's position win s. that
she II Judge Of the ultimate destina-
ton Of oargoes. and. therefore, she has
right to seize ships bound for neu-
trail ports and confiscate the cargoes,
II she thinks they are intended uiti-
matsiy for the enemy. State Depart
ment ofIicials intimated that this gov
eminent will take such q position to
be In denial OF the principle of the
freedom of the seas. In its notes To
Germany over the submarine question
this government declared fatty that 1t
stood ~ q champion of all neutral ma
items for the freedom - the seas.
This. II Was pointed out. would mako
It necessary for the United States to
challenges Great Britain.s position
sharply and finally
Their Own Nccessity TO Rule.
From an authoritative sonrse close
to the British embassy It was learned
tonight that Great Britain and her
allies In putting in operation their
new extension OF the blockade OF the
central powers. will be influenced by
the sxirencies OF the situation alone
and not by official or public sentiment
In the United States
To this end the British and French
ambassadors have avoided any discus
sion Of the proposed blockade with
.ofaciais Of the state Department.
These diplomats have not been ac-
0uainted with the plans OF their
governments for establishing the
blockade with the plans Of their gov
ernmentn will take such action as thu
oxtgoncies demand.
The United States Kovernment. It
WAS stated, will he given m opportu-
nifty to make In pesition known after
the blockade actually has been placed
in operation
The attitude Of ths BritiAh govern
msnt was outlined to emphanise a de-
Mai Of published reports that the all
He'd diplomats had bean III conference
IN washington on the blockade quek
finn. that thAy had held informal ron-
fsrencas With Secretary lansing. and
that thay we're making an effort to
sound out public opinion In the United
9tAtee
TAking NJ tAese matters categorical
~. a ssaG eAid n snhstAHne tl1pt
IT, a1lta6 Alpleleafs ~ vAnhiAgten