Newcastle Incident

Diplomatic firmness and good temper ended a disagreeable chapter in Anglo-American relations. Two years ago British shipping interests charged that the American consular officials at Newcastle-on-Tyne had exceeded their authority by attempting to divert passengers from British to American shipping lines. The British Foreign Office insisted that the two accused officials be transferred from Newcastle, and canceled the exequaturs (official consular recognition) of Slater and Brooks, Consul and Vice Consul of the U. S. The U. S. State Department instituted three separate inquiries, which in each case failed to substantiate the charges. The British Government, however, stood by its original accusation. Secretary Hughes replied by closing the Consulate and ordering the premises sold. British shipping circles soon complained of delays and loss of money in clearing their ships for American ports because of lack of a Consulate at Newcastle.

Last week the question was brought to a friendly conclusion. Great Britain withdrew its charges against Slater and Brooks. Secretary Hughes announced, through Ambassador Kellogg, his intention to reopen the Consulate at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and to appoint Charles Roy Nasmith as Consul. Premier MacDonald's letter to the Ambassador said : "I have the honor to inform you that after further consideration, His Majesty's Government are prepared not to insist upon the charge of exceeding their consular authority, laid about a year and a half ago, against the then American Consul and Vice Consul at Newcastle, and it has therefore been recalled." The quid pro quo in this agreement is apparently that the two accused men are not reappointed to Newcastle.