The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-24
J. 5. LIKELY ID ASK
 BRITISH EMBASSY
 FOR EXPLANATION
Action In Writing Directly to Chairman of Committee Is Regarded as Breach of
 Diplomatic Courtesy
BY Associated Pres.

Washington, December 2S.-Official cognizance was taken today by the state department of the action of the British embassy in writing directly to Chairman Kellogg of the Senate com mittee, investigating cable communica- tions, denying testimony of witnesses that the British authorities imposed a censorship on cable messages coming to the United States from Great Britain
 At the departments request. Senator Kellogg sent to Acting Secretary Davis q copy of the embassy's letter, together with transcript of the testimony of officials of the American cable com panies that a censorship was imposed
 Officials declined to discuss the incl dent, but it was indicated that the em bassy would be asked for an explana- ton of what was regarded as breach of diplomatic courtesy. A similar course was followed recently when Dr. Julio Bianchi, the Guatemalan minister took up directly with Senator Moses of New Hampshire a discussion of the sem ator's resolution asking the state de- partment for information concerning the detention of former President Cabrera by the present authorities in Guate- mala.
 INCIDENTS DIFFER
 1t was made clear, however. that the two incidents were not regarded as within the same category, as one dealt with contemplated action by the legis- lative branch of the government whereas the other had only to do with m effort to correct what was regarded by the embassy as erroneous informa- tion which had been given to a Senate committee in the course of hearing.
 Officials also indicated their belief that there was some reasonable expla- nation of the embassy's action in deal- ing directly with Senator Kellogg in- stead of through the state department as is the usually accepted procedure.
 Neither the embassy's letter nor that written by Senator Kellogg to MT. Da- wis was made public. The former was understood to have been signed by R. Leslie Craige first secretary of the em- bassy. and was dispatched after pub lie statement had been made at the embassy for publication that such a communication would be sent.
 Enclosed with the embassy's letter was a newspaper dispatch printed in this country quoting high official of Scotland Yard as denying that there was censorship on cablegrams oriGi- mating in the British Isles for the United States
 ASK FOR INQUIRY
 Despite this denial Senator Kellogg, A his letter to Secretary Davis, asked the state department to inquire of tlle embassy whether a censorship existed as testified to by Newcomb Carlton, president of the Western Union Tele- graph company, and John Goldhammer, secretary of the Commercial Cable com pany.
 While this incident was under com sideration by department officials, an nouncement was made that the incl dent of the call of Dr. Bianehi on Sena- tor Moses had been closed. "in view of the minister's explanation and apology.' In 8 communication to the depart ment, Minister Bianchi said it had been his intention when he called upon Sem ator Moses merely to explain the policy of his government in the Imprisonment of pr. Cabrera and to exonerate him- self. He said he had not commented upon the policy of the Upited States nor that of the American legation in Gua- temala, adding that he regretted the in cident and promised that it would not be repeated.