New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-11
WANT TO CANCEL
WHEAT CONTRACTS
Grain Shippers of U. S.
and Canada Oppose Send
ing Grain Abroad.
BELGIUM PROMISES
PAYMENT OF DRAFTS
Says Britain VIII Keep Channel
Characterization Asks John
Bassett MOore's Advice.

The North American Export Grain
Dealers Association, representing the
principal shippers Of the United States
and Canada. met at the Produce Tx
change yesterday and conferred with
John Bassett Moore, formerly Assist.
ant Secretary Of State and an aeknowl-
edged authority on international law.
on the status of their contracts and the
general situation. The association Will
meet tomorrow for further considera-
tion of the subject.
Two questions OF paramount impor-
lance are before the associatIon-the
status of grain shipped before war was
declared but the whereabouts OF which
is in doubt, and that of contracts made
but not fulfilled calling for the ship
ment of 60,000,000 bushels Of wheat.
In view of the situation abroad there is
a tendency on the part Of the shippers
TO cancel these latter contracts.
In the case Of wheat shipped before
war was declared, the bills Of lading
are in many cases out Of the hands Of
the shippers. ard affairs are generally
in a topsy-turvy state. Some exporters
are inclined TO think that until this
grain is paid for the best thing 70 DO
is. as one expressed il, to "sit tight"
On contracts as yet unfulhlled the
problems of obtaining bottoms and IN
surance are added to the uncertainty
as to when, how and where payment IS
to b. obtained.
Belgium Makes Appeal.
The government of Belgium yester-
day was busy cabling its representa-
tives here, urging that shipments De
maintained and promising that all
drafts would be paid on presentation,
the government assuming all risks, The
question Of delivery, it was pointed out
by .hese cables, was simplihed by the
fact that Britain was keeping the chan
rel open.
After two hours discussion the ship
pers adopted the following resolution;
"Whereas, the existing hostlllties 10
Europe, besides creating wholly alb
normal and unprecedented CONDITION
which renders generally Impossible the
performance by buyers OF the ooliga-
ton of pre-existing contracts ior the
shipment of grain to the countries AZ
war and the ports of certain adjacent
countries, also effectually prevent suea
shipments. IT, A.
president of the association be empe~-
cred TO appoint committee OIL hye
with power to take up such measures a
NAV be deemed necessary to protect
the interests of shippers IN All matters
affected 5y the present war;
It was learned from members OF ths
association that there was strong sea-
Of
favor of shipping grain in accordan;s
with the contracts.
Liverpool Begs Aid.
The protest of the Liverpool Gra'a
Trade Association was discussed IN ne'
tell and il was animated by one OF we
members of the association tnat ths
snecial committee appointed will give
particular attention TO TINS phase Oh
the situation.
The Liverpool grain men declare taat'
If the American dealers refuse TO snip
grain according to their contracts they
will be working against the common
good and that business VIII De serious
IN affected. They maintain they nave
the assurance of banks that exchanges
will be practically normal petore 'ns
close of this week.
Belgium, in making a special bid ior
the continuance of wheat shipments 10
that country from the United States'
gave American shippers notice IN AZ
official cable message from the beiglan
Minister of War to the Consul Genera,
In this city that the English neets naa
the seas clear for the passage OIL wnes'
ships as far as Antwerp, and that pay
ment for wheat consignments was as
sured.
Belgium Good Customer
Belgium ranks fourth among Euro,,
resn nations as a wheat customer OF
the United States. She bought iIom
this country in 1918 more than lO,SovT
600 bushels of wheat for approximately
SO 100000. The trade balance between
this country and Belgium fayors tns
y,ited States. Last year Belgium lin,
ported from this country S6o,OO0'VVV
worth of goods, while we bought from
Belgium SAP 100000.
The cable message from Minister OF
War De Brodueville. dated at brusses
August 10, made public by Pierre MAIL
Belgian Consul General, follows:
"Let American exporters OF ~hen
know that the Belgian credit remains
unimpaired and that England has 40
viscd that all boats with wheat can 80
direct 10 Antwerp without stop All
payments assured as in times oil
peace.
"The road to Antwerp is free and
the Belgian National Bank will horror
PAPER for wheat. The Belgian govern
ment is taking risks forNw at one.
fourth Of | per cent over peace rates.
Il was explained that this was for
tho nurpose of preventing speculation