AMERICA AND BRITAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 12

AMERICA AND BRITAIN.

THE CONSULAR INCIDENT, j By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright j Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. i WASHINGTON. March S. The British Embassy has published the text of Lord Curzon’s last Note respecting the Newcastle incident, and j lias stated, in explaining Britain’s atti- i tude, that the withdrawal of the exequaturs of the Consulate was in con- : formity with the 1815 Commercial Con- f vent ion with the United States. A si mi - j lar publication was made .simultaneously in London.Mr C. E. Hughes, Secretary ef State, was informed of the intention to publish t-heeo papers, and lie issued a statement, outlining the American position, as previously cabled, and published the texts of all correspondence with Britain on the subject. Mr Hughes stresses the position. He says that in view of the fact that Britain allowed the charges against the Consuls to become public, it was incumbent on the United States to investigate them carefully, and he reiterated the conclusion that the men were innocent. Britain’s evidence was. he says, insufficient. It is understood that the State Department has intimated that negotiations with Britain will not be resumed unless the initative is taken by BriTt is interesting to note that although the United States declined to accept Britain’s invitation to send identical Notes of instruction to the British and American Consuls concerning the aid they might render the respective merchant marine until the Newcastle incident was settled. the State Department in December last, nevertlieless, issued a circular to all it*- Consular representatives, instructing them to offer information coneern- | ing American ships only when enquiries were made, and not otherwise. A notice was posted at the American Consulate in Newoastle-on-Tvne, on August 31. 1922. stating that instructions from the Consul-General in London advised that the British Government had suspended or revoked the exequaturs (the written recognition given to a Consul by the Government to which he is accredited) of the Consul, Mr F. C. Slater. and ViceConsul. Mr R. M. Brooks, at Newcas-tle-on-Tyne. Therefore the office was closed for the time being. The Press Association learned that- the closing by the United States Government of the American Consulate at Newcastle-on-Tyne was due to the fact, that the i. American Consul there had beeD relievIe! of hi«! duties His exequatur was withdrawn by the British Government i on tlie allegation that- difficulties had been put in the way of the viseing of passports to passengers who failed to promise they would travel by American vessels. The action of the British Government was taken after the American Government had been duly notified of its intention. i