SACRED AMERICAN COAST

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11698, 19 October 1916, Page 5

SACRED AMERICAN COAST

U.S. PROTEST AGAINST PATROLS

A SUBMARINE'S REQUEST.

SERIOUS ISSUES INVOLVED.

London, Oct. IS.

In the House of Lords, Lord Beresforcl asked whether the United Slates had raised objection to British cruisers patrolling the American coast and whether cruisers had boon removed in consequence of objection. What steps were the British Government making to prevent submarines sinking traders.

Viscount Grey, speaking in the House of Lords, first read a memorandum on the subject of the American protest against British warshippatrolling the coast, showing that Amercia did not object to the practice on the ground of illegality, but as likely to cause unfriendliness and irritation. . Viscount Grey said that although Britain contended that according to international law our ships were entitled to operate freely anywhere outside territorial waters, instructions had been sent to warships to meet the views of the United States as far as poss*ble The Government had impressed on British commanders to commit no act liable to cause unnecessary irritation. Earl Grey asked whether it was true that commanders of American destroyers acceded to-the request of UoiJ to clear out of the way so that the submarine would have room to blow up a merchant ship. Viscount Grey replied that he had no official information, He assumed the United States was inquiring into the matter. The issues involved were most important, but until the full facts were known he could not state whether it would be necessary to make official representations to the United States. The discussion was adjourned.