BRITAIN AND AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 18, 22 January 1940, Page 13

BRITAIN AND AMERICA

CENSORSHIP OF MAILS

POTENTIAL CRISIS

(By Telegraphs-Press Association—Copjcisht.} WASHINGTON, January 20. A serious diplomatic crisis between Britain and the United States threatens to grow out of the British rejection of the United States Note protesting against the censorship and examination of United States mails in British, American; and neutral ships. The Australian Associated Press learns reliably that the State De- j partment is most irritated- at the British attitude regarding this and other questions. It warned the British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, in the strongest terms of the United States dissatisfaction and a sharp Note is likely to reject the British argument. Resentment arises not only from the stiffness of the tone of the British Note justifying interference, but also from the generally adamant British attitude to a number of disputed points, including commercial restrictions on United States exports and interference with United States shipping outside the war area. • It is understood, that Lord Lothian was invited to the "State Department, where he was informed of the official United States view and warned 'of the unfortunate effect of the British attitude on American public opinion. It is gathered that the State Department considers the situation aj; least potentially serious. . IRRITATION SPREADING. The Washingon correspondent of the "New York Times" says it is feared that irritation is spreading and is capable of disturbing the cordial relations between Britain and/America. Officials are well aware that the British are fighting a war and operating a blockade, but they find. it difficult to understand the reaspn for a number of actions merely annoying the American public and not aiding Britain^ It is felt that the British attitude is endangering the intense sympathy of most Americans towards Britain. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, revealed that he was investigating the reported British discontinu-, ance of the purchase, of American tobacco and commerce restrictions gener rally, and hinted that action was contfemplated. The restrictions include a hitherto undisclosed British ban ori United States shipments of lubricants to Norway, holding United States ships for long periods at Gibraltar, and inroads on American trade with Latin America. OUT-BUYING GERMANY. There is a feeling that Britain is buying from Argentina and Brazil far in excess of her needs and requirements to keep supplies from Germany, and that American trade is suffering difficulties unnecessarily. Mr. Edwin L. James, managing editor of the "New, York Times," says plainly" 'that * "the "possibility exiStsfbt: a diplomatic difference resembling the World War argument. "It.is difficult to see what the British think they can gain by interference with United States mails," he says. "Could what is taken from mails destined for Germany compensate the British for the loss by the irritation caused in the United States? The World War saw a good deal of pro-German sentiment in the United States. In this war at least 80 per cent, are anti-Hitler. It would seem. too valuable for Britain to' -risk modifying this by searching United States mail- on the high seas."