Evening star., 1940-01-07
Riff With Britain
Disappointment for
American Officials
=.
t.
S U. S. Sympathetic With
Allies, but Asserts
Neutral Rights
BY ANDRUE BERDING,
Associated Press stan Writer.

BY ANDRUE BERDING,
Associated Press Stan Writer.
The administration, heartily SYM
pathizing with Great Britain in her
tight with Germany, finds itself in
the uncomfortable position of en-
phatically asserting American rights
in the face of British belligerent
activities.
During the opening months Of
the European war, it appeared that
there would be no recurrence of the
acrimonious debate with England,
engendered by the World War, but
now a period of strong assertion Of
American rights is unfolding.
Oficials had hoped relations with
Britain would 60 along smoothly,
and are frankly disappointed that
they have not. Already three notes
have had to be dispatched to Lon
don complaining against infringe
ment of American rights by British
belligerent activities. and there is
every likelihood that there will be
more.
The United States objected to
Britain's blockade of German exports
to this country, to Britain's inter-
ference with American mails and to
Britain's taking American ships
into her control ports through the
combat area which they are for
hidden by American law to enter.
No-> - Ao<ac Arc-oraI
Thus far the satisfaction from
Britain is meager. The British
ministry of economic warfare prom
ised that "in very exceptional cir
cumstances" German exports to the
United States would be permitted
to come through. But none OF the
three notes has been answered.
Nor have answers come to notes
dispatched, on behalf of the United
States and other American repub-
lies, by the President of Panama,
announcing the creation Of the
Western Hemisphere neutrality
zone and protesting violations of
the zone.
High officials feel the United
States is going far out of its way to
avoid complications with Europe's
belligerents. 1t keeps its ships out
of the combat zone. 1t keeps its
ships from carrying any goods
whatsoever to belligerent ports in
Europe. It keeps its goods from
going to any belligerent until some
foreigner has purchased them out
right 1t permits the British to put
into effect here their system Of
''navicerts," which are certificates
issued to American shippers tes-
tifying their shipments are OF an
innocent character not destined to
Germany. Some contend that the
navicerts are, in effect, a form OF
British control exercised within the
United States.
Feels Entitled to Consideration.
In view of all these restrictions,
the administration feels it has a
right to expect greater considera-
ton from the belligerents for the
shipping activities still permitted
under the Neutrality Act. And hav-
ing voluntarily imposed these re-
strictons on Americans, it also feels
disposed to protest more vigorously
any interference with the American
commercial life still permitted.
An official said, "1t's like a man
walking down the street who sees
a fight going on and crosses over
to the other side Of the street to
avoid it. If one of the fighters then
runs across the street and hits him
he feels sorer about it than If he
had continued walking down the
other sidewalk into the midst OF
the fight"
Another official pointed to an edi-
torial in large daily New York
Tines the gist Of which was that
American friendship is one OF the
most valuable assets of the allies;
that even if Britain should relax its
blockade in a small degree, the pos
sible loss would be insignificant in
contrast with a possible decline in
American sympathy. and that 1t is
illogical for the British govern
ment to sacrifice the larger consld-
Grafton for the smaller, rarer gain.
"The British Ambassador" the
official commented, will do his
country a real service If he cables
this to London textually.'