The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-24
British Preliminary Answer De-
cIared by Officials to Dodge
Principles Involved.
PAGE TO REPEAT REQUEST
State Department Assrts Re.
port Of Naval Conveys for
Ships Is Without Foundation

The State Department immedi-
ately will acknowledge to Ambas-
sador Page at London receipt Of
the mail reply from Great Britain,
and inform him that it is not con-
sidered a response to the American
note.
The request for an early reply
on the principles involved will be
repeated.
This was the official declara.
ton made today by the State De-
partment, which announced the
British reply, received yesterday,
would be given out for publication
later in the day.
The Netherlands minister called
At the State Department to see
Acting Secretary Of State Polk re-
garding a rumor that the United
States might send warships as con-
voys to American mail carrying
ships. The diplomat was told the
rumor was without any foundation.
IGNORES PRINCIPLES.
The reply OF the British government,
was declared to be thoroughly unsatis-
factory by State Department officials.
II is unsatisfactory. officials said. be-
cause It ignores absolutely the princi-
pie involved and deals only with in
dtvidual cases.
1t aggravates, rather than diminishes
the seriousness OF the issue. since II
70 accepted as an indication that
the prineipie insis t''a upon 20 in '' the
American protests-that the inviola-
bility,.oft first class mails Is guaran.
teed by international law and the
postal to which both gov
ernments are signatories.
Direct relation between the British
mail seizures and blacklisting of Ameri'
can firms was pointed out by State De.
partment officials after the arrival OF
the preliminary mail note.
1t was through illegal practices in
opening mails Of American firms tina,
Great Britain obtained much Of the in.
formation on which the blacklist was
compiled. II was declared.
Blacklist Raises Serious Issue.
The blacklist raises the most seriou,
issue between the United States and
Great Britain arising during the war.
Threats Of retaliatory legislation hav,
been made by members Of Congress.
committee Of New York exporters hal
taken steps to arrange a conference with
the President at which they will submit
facts as to the full operation Of an lille
gal system. which they claim. PRACTICAL,
will bankrupt every frm on the black
list
President Wilson has made no officia
protest thus far on the blacklist. but a
the White House and State Department
It 10 explained he is delaying only unit
he has more complete facts:
II 10 stated authoritatively the United
States will take the most vigorous pc
sition possible In contesting the right @
the British government to in1ure Ameri
can firms by first placing them on
T io to cs snsH soSs. 81 'f
firms. even II consigned to neutral coun
Facts upon which the United state
will base its action are expected IN re
the British government. and from tn
American exporters who will see tn
President.
The mail note answers a few specifi
cases, one in particular referring TO de
tention Of malls Of Pittsburgh cabl
firm. which caused that firm to lose
contract that later was captured by
British firm.
British "Astonished."
Tho British government espresso
establishment" that the United State
Government SHOULD insinuate one of II
firms profited by this mail seizure. an
offers to explain in detail the workin
Of the censorship" This Is far froi
satisfying officials today. What tn
United States demands is not an explr
nation. but the abandonment Of tn
policy of interfering with inviolabl
American mails. II was explained toda!
and will continue to insist on the appl
cation of principles Of international la
which never have been questioned.
MN