New-York tribune., 1916-07-28
Political Effect Here
Aim in New Demand
on Britain.
.REVERSES STAND
TAKEN BY CABINET
To Counteract Hughes
Keynote" and Ap-
pease Hyphens.
from Tho Tribune Bureau ]

[From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington, July 27.-With the dis
patch of a note to Great Britain from
the State Department last night, con-
troversy over the British blacklist
passes from the international stage to
the range of domestic politics.
Although the communication is ad-
dressed to Ambassador Page for deliv-
cry to the London Foreign Office, and
follows all the rules Of diplomatic
usage, In reality it is a document aimed
at the thousands Of voters on this side
Of the Atlantic who between now and
November must make up their minds
as to the merits or demerits OF the
Wilson Administration.
For one accustomed to regarding tho
foreign affairs Of q nation as set apars
from the designs Of politicians, as
something to be deliberated on with an
impartiality akin to that Of the Su-
preme Court, such q charge no doubt
will come as a rude shock. But Tor
one who has witnessed the changes IN
Washington during the last week the
conclusion is unavoidable.
Nor is the charge a new one Sus-
picion has been raised before that IN
ternational matters. like the apology
for the Lusitania attack, responsibility
for the Sussex affair, and the whole
Mexican situation, were being made to
serve the exigencies of Democratic and
White House politics. Now, the Brit
ish blacklist has been added to this
class.
View of Blacklist Changes.
II there is doubt in the mind Of any
that political strategy rather than the
preservation of American rights die
tated the present note to Great Britain,
let him but consider the case Of the
blacklist as it has developed during the
last week. To appreciate it properly, he
must have in mind also the various
other complaints which our government
has pending against England: The
whole question of the legality Of the
blockade, the detention of American
ships and cargoes, the seizure Of
American mails, the infringement Of
virtually every American commercial
right that touches on the sea.
When the British blacklist Of Ameri-
can firms accused of trading with the
enemy was published. although there
was a great outcry from the individuals
affected, it was conceded by the State
Department that England was within
her rights. There was some concern as
TO the scope of the prohibition and how
it might affect other American firms,
and inquiries were addressed to London
on the subject. In the meantime, every
thing possible was done in negota-
tions with the Embassy to aid the
prescribed firms.
At the las. Cabinet meeting Acting
Secretary Polk is understood to have
declared that any protest by the United
States, if it were to have substantial
weight, must be based on more facts
than were now at hand. Finally, the
triple assurances of the British Am
bassador that the blacklist was an
order only to British firms, that exist
ing contracts were not invalidated, and
that il was not aimed at neutrals,
seemed to clear away. as State Depart
ment officials themselves admitted, the
last grounds of Misunderstanding.
Enter the Politician.
Then suddenly, almost overnight, the
situation changed. With that stealth
practised by all gum shoe gentlemen"
the politician enters. 1t is announced
that note is TO be sent TO Great
Britain; not protest" or complaint
citing a bill of particular damages, but
a note dealing with the principles" OF
the case-generalities make so much
better campaign reading. We do not
ask England for redress, or TO amend
practices already admitted as within
her rights; we wish merely TO discuss
the case-something as lawyer tells
the Jury in his preliminary address
what he expects" to prove, but for
which he afterward forgets 70 bring IN
the evidence.
And finally, if evidence still is want
ing that the purpose Of this latest note
70 Great Britain is paramountly politi-
cal. the communication, although DIS
PATCHED last night and received IN
f,ondon this afternoon, is NOT TO BE
MADE PUBLIC UNTIL MONDAY
Even the Democrats, confident as they
ore of victory this fall, haven't for
cotten that on that day Mr.. Hughes is
to keynote" something about about
Wilson policies. 1t is a SLY and clever
s,roLe TO take some of the wind from
Like the Presidents dramatic de-
cent on the Capitol TO insist on the
of the child labor bill, the
blackiist note is shrewd bit of po-
Iitical strategy. Weak as the Ameri-
can case is-and for Its purpose 'ha'
Too,irued an page g. column 4