Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1916 — U. S. TO ACT ALONE [ARTICLE]

U. S. TO ACT ALONE

LANSING REJECTS TRADE PROTEST PLAN OF SWEDEN. American Government Will Deal With Great Britain on interference With Commerce. Washington, Feb. 18. —The United States has rejected a proposal from Sweden that the United States call together a conference of neutral powers for the purpose of joint protest against the violations of international law by Gredt Britain. Secretary Lansing gave the reply of the United States in the course of an informal talk with the Swedish minister, who was informed that it was against the traditional policy of the United States to join with foreign powers in dealing with foreign questions, and that in respect to the British violations, as well as all other violations of international law by the belligerents- in the present war, the American government preferred to act independently. In Hie meantime, it was learned the Swedish minister at London has been, in conference with Col. E. M. House for the purpose of setting forth the attitude of Sweden on all pending disputes with Great Britain. The Swedish note to Mr. Lansing charges that Great Britain despite repeated protests by the neutral powers has steadily increased violations of international law and unlawful structures on neutral trade. Particular stress is laid on the British seizures of mails en route between the United States and Sweden, and it is stated that Sweden realizes “its responsibility not to omit any measure” to prevent Great Britain from disregarding the lasi remaining tenets of international law. -