That American Note.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 310, 31 December 1914, Page 5

That American Note.

THE GENERAL DISCUSSION. XUnitxd Pbku Association.] Washington, December 30. ' Cabinet discussed the whole question of the Note sent to Britain, and promised the South American diplomats copies, owing to the interest of Republics in the question. . K Non-official quarters hotly discussed v reprisals against Britain. Some Consuggested an embargo ■ against shipment to the Allies of proi ‘ducts- which the United States considered legitimate articles of trade, ‘ but Which Britain and France refused to allow to reach the enemy. Sir O' A. Spring-Rice (British Ambassador) refused to comment on the day’s developments. The Press is vigorously discussing the question, interest therein over- : shadowing, the war. ( German sympathisers in the Press urge the United States to take/the strongest possible action against Britain. “PLAYING TO THE GALLERY.” \ Ottawa, December 30. Mr Aylesworth, ex-Minister of Justice, opines that the United States’ action is merely playing to the gallery. The whole question had probably been settled already between Britain and ■ the United States, but the latter was ‘obliged to do something to satisfy the powerful interests affected.

THE ROOT OF THE TROUBLE. Washington, December 30. Referring to the Note,' President Wilson intimajces that he will be able to deal confidently in the matter of ‘contraband only if supported by an absolutely honest manifesto. Great embarrassment has been caused to the Government some shippers t in cargoes of non-contrp,banji articles, for example, under cotton. As long as there were , instances of that kind suspicion would 1 be.cast on every shipment, and all cargoes would be liable to search. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. ;■ ;• ; v • London, December 30. Awaiting the text' of President Wilson's Note, and accepting the assurance of its friendly tone throughout, the newspapers rely on the fairness of American opinion to ensure a commonsen^e• adjustment of an admittedly thorpy will. After remarking that the American newspapers have consistently grasped the fundamental fact that the ■ jdeals for which we are fighting are theirs no less than ours, the Times confidently anticipates a modus vivendi which, while in accordance with the principles of international law, will meet the - truly unprecedented features of this war, and enable the exercise to uttermost of all legitimate means mon .of the enemy, i v New York, December 30. . The evening papers commend the Note,' but the Sun warns England’s eperaies that the Note does not indicate hostility to England. *The Daily Telegraph’s Washington correspondent says that President Wilson’s whole idea in protesting was to lay the foundation for indemnities at the close of .the war. Meanwhile the Unitey.l Stales will continue to file pro- | tests at each seizure, diversion, or dc■tention.

INDIVIDUAL OR THE STATE? (Received 8.5 a.m.) London, December 30, The Chronicle says:. “If the British search is faulty in practice Britain must amend the practice, but many of the complaints a’re trivial. Britain will doubtless concede what she can in consistency with a legitimate and successful prosecution of the war, but if America wishes to assist the individuals who make large profits out of Germany, it will necessitate such a policy as will he unfriendly to the Allies.”

LOSS ONLY TEMPORARY. MORE REMEDIES SUGGESTED. (Received 8.5 a.m.) Loudon, December 30.* IJlie Daily News emphasised the gain to America from the shortening of the war as the result of the Allies blockade, which would vastly outweigh any temporary loss due to a restriction on American trade with Germany. The paper’s American correspondent suggests that the best remedy would be to induce the neutrals to place watertight embargoes upon re-exportation and also to have a strict supervision of the manifestos. “FRIENDLY COMMUNICATION.” (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, December 30. The Times, in a leader, says: “It was dated the 2-lth, and we cannot help imagining that the eve of the great Festival of Peace and Goodwill was not accidentally chosen for the despatch of this friendly communication. We n.sk Americans to remember we are waging a war of attrition against two Continental States possessing hardly any seaboard of their own.”

AMERICAN OPINION. A SPEECH IN THE HOUSE. (Received 8.30 a.m.) New York, December 30. Mr Mann, speaking in the House of Representatives, said: “I hope the Administration will insist upon the right to ship neutral goods on neutral ships, and preserve our rights abroad. We do not intend, in order to keep out of the war, to say to the nations: “You can do what you please!” There is no clanger of our getting into the war because we stand up for right. Neither England nor Germany can afford war with us. We must uphold our position on the seas with dignity and firmness.”

WORKING UP THE CAMPAIGN. GERMAN INFLUENCE TOWARDS THE PROTEST. (Received 8.30 a.m.) Washington, December 30. Reports state it is feared the publication of the Note marks the inauguration of a sharp campaign which is calculated to do general and standing British harm. The complaints from American traders, and producers are growing daily. From the volume of copper, moat, and oil interests protesting at the interference in the trade with neutrals, there is every reason to suspect the Germans are working assiduously to concoct a joint protest by Neutral Powers against British control of the seas. The trade returns prove there has been wholesale smuggling of contraband into Germany through neutrals.

CONFERENCE IN THE SPRING. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS FOR DISCUSSION. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, December 30. Reuter’s Washington correspondent states that the Treasury has invited the various American nations to a conference in the spring to discuss tho financial and commercial problems arising out of the war and also closer com. mercial relations. Treasury officials are of the opinion that the chief hope of the South American States’ financial independence of Europe lies in a panAmerican movement, and they suggest that New York is becoming a serious competitor with London, which is the world’s financial centre. \ OFFICIAL CIRCLES NOT ALARMED (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, December 30.

Many European and South American diplomatic representatives interviewed President Wilson, who, apparently, is prepared to insist on the rights asserted in the Note. I President Wilson declared that America’s theory was hardly debatable, as ; Britain adhered to the same previous to the war. Official circles are confident Britain will satisfy America. THE NEWSPAPERS SATISFIED WITH THE POSITION.. (Received 8.50 a.m.) New York, December 30. The morning newspapers anticipate a satisfactory undej-standing being arrived at with Britain, and declare there is no unfriendliness.