Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-13
TALK OF UNITED STATES UNIT.
ING WITH SWEDEN AND
ARGENTINA.
MAY DEMAND MAIL
CENSORSHIP CEASE
bitrary and in Conflict With Inter
national Law and Preeedent-irri
Eating Ali fSeutrais-Answer of Eng
land May Be Unfavorable.

Washington, Sept. 13.-Discussion of
the possibility of joint action by neu-
trails in the controversies arising over
;hc British blockade, mails. and black
list controver sizes, was revived here as
a result of the determined opposition
shown by~neutrals, particularly Sweden
and Argentina, toward British restric-
i've measures.
There was particular interest in un-
official reports OF popular demonstra-
: tons in Argentina against the black
! list, and in the demands made there for
! Legislation of a retalatory nature pat
termed after the reprisa! amendments
to the revenue bill passed recently by
! congress.
Reports of the grave diplomatic con-
ffict which has arisen between. Great
Britain and Sweden over the latter's
retaliation for mail seizure have pre-
pared state department officials in a
measure for the stand Great Britain il
likely TO take If any reprisal measures
are placed in operation by this gov
eminent.
England in Arbitrary Stand.
Great Britain has served notice on
Sweden that the practice of OBTAINING
British mails en- route 10 Russia thru
Sweden must be suspended as condi-
ton precedent to the arbitration of eN-
listing quarrels. This is accepted as an
indication that Great Britain will make
instant protest against any attempt by
the United States to re;aiiate for mail
ana trade aggression and will demand
suspension of the retaliatory practices
before there is further negotiation to-
ward settlement.
Secretary Lansing is studying the
POSSIBLE consequences of the adoption
OF retaliation by the United States be-
fore taking any step that Will commit
this GOV eminent 20 a definite policy
with respect 10 the use of the retalia-
tory weapons now provided by legisla-
ton.
A. to Presidents.
Mr. Lansing was asked il il were
not true that belligerents in other
wars, including the United States gov
eminent, had used the blockade for de-
tention and censorship of mails. He
replied that in these instances the
power was used only for be!ligerent
purposes."
Ii is believed to be apparent from Mt.
LLOYD Georges statement that Great
Britain has embarked on a policy that
! carries the operation of the ensors'hip
! beyond these limits and gives legal
| sanction 10 the use Of information OBJ
| aimed by the censor from the mails in
aiding British trade to capture mar
keta and business Of foreign, including
|. neutral competitors.
Official admission by Great Britain
of its assumption of the right TO maxi
use of trade information obtained thru
censorship of the mails would almost
certainly force the United States into
adopting reprisals. is the view ex-
pressed by officials.
Secretary Lansing. however, refused
TO commit himself on this question and
indicated that no official steps of any
character with reference TO the contro-
versies with Great Britain will be
taken until the British government has
made an official expression on the
/ mails protest
Events within the next few days are
! likely 10 call for a showdown by the
| administration on It's intentions with
respect TO the retaliatory legislation
! enacted By congress during the clos
ling hour Of the session TO halt British
aggressions on American commerce.
! Secretary Of State Lansing said he
expects the arrival this week Of the an
| swer 20 the recent American note pro-
! testing against mail seizures. Other OF
flcials. while insisting the department
had received no intimations concerning
the contents of the reply, said there l:
every reason TO believe 1t will be unfa
| vorabl
| Mr.. Lansing received from the en-
hassy at London copy Of the remarks
made by David Lloyd-GeorSe, the Brit
ism minister Of war, in which he ad
uitted that facts learned by the cen