Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-08
BRITAIN BANS j. S.
COPPER TO EUROPE
Tells Bryan Shipments to Neu-
trails, Proof Shows, Are
for Germany.
ENGLAND WILL STOP
CONTRABAND TRADE
Embassy Declares Packages to Italy
Were Marked for Danzig.
Evidence Stated.

Evidence Stated.
claim that Great Britain has con-
elusive proof that very large ship
ments of copper. rubber and other
commodities are passing through italy
into Germany is made in an oniciai
statement by the British embassy here.
presented at the State Department last
evening.
The embassy says Great Britain has
no alternative left but to stop such
courraband trade. The statement gwen
out here by Sir Cecil SprinS-Rice, the
Rri.isb anba ssador is based on a note
from Sir Edward Grey. ~
The British government also charges
that large copper purchases are beinS
made in New York by agents of estao-
Ijsbments in Rotterdam, Amsterdam
and Copenhagen and that the ultimate
destination of those purchases is Ger
many.
United States officials await with more
than ordinary interest the rul1ng OF
the British prize court at Gibraltar on
the copper and rubber shipments con
signed to Italian firms aboard tne
loaded at Gibraltar by direction OF
British authorities before the vessel
was allowed to continue her voyage.
England to Buy Copper.
The British statement, however, pro-
vides that shipments made prior to Oc-
tober 90. when copper was nrade aoso-
lutte contraband of war on the British
list, and held by British authorities.
would be certain of market, as the
government was prepared TO arrange
hos nf
by Them
Presumably the Kroonland's copper
cargo would fall within this provision
although it is possible the BRITISH
would render the shipment subject to
confiscation. The statement declared
1t had been learned that representa-
tives of copper producers In this coun-
try were en- route to Europe 70 ar
range for forwarding shipments to
Germany and the Italian firms had been
approached by German agents, with a
view to the use of their names to con-
ceal the actual destination of the copper
The Italian Banca Commerciale'
largely controlled by German capital,
was said to be handling these orders
on German accounts. Other houses en-
gagged in similar business at Amster-
dam and Rotterdam, 1t was added. &C
Krupp, the great German gun works.
What the action of the prize court
might be on shipments alleged to be
of this character is not intimated In
the statement
q. S. Consul to Be Present.
1t is assumed here that the American
owners of the Kroonland's copper VIII
be represented at the prize court, but
II they are not the American consul
will go before the court as an observer.
If the decision is adverse to American
interests protest may be lodged with
the State Department to be forwarded
to the British foreign office.
In any event the ruling Is expected
to form a precedent which will have
an important bearing on all contra
band cases arising during the European
war.
While no word has been received last
night to that effect. State Department
officials believed the kroonland had
continued on her voyage to italian
ports as soon as she was released. She
carries 1900 passengers.
British Embassy Statement.
The statement given out by the Brit
ish embassy follows:
Information in possession of the
British government conclusively proves
that very large shipments of copper,
rubber and other commodities are pass
TO Germany. ~
In New York large purchases OF
copper are being made by houses in
Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Copen-
hagen who are working on German
account. Directions are at the same
time being given that these large con-
sfgnments of copper are to be shipped
through Italian ports to the order OF
such institutions as the Banca Com
merciale, banking concern largely
controlled by German capital.
THE American copper refiners appear
to be quite capable of protecting their
own interests. since they usually insist
on payment in cash before they allow
copper to be shipped. and 1t is well
known that certain prominent firms of
bankers III New York are making these
Payments on German account.
1.-THE British government. il is under
stood. are determined that they will
use every legitimate endeavor to pre-
vent copper reaching Germany, where
II is being made into ammunition TO-
use against the British forces. and they
ers CARRYING copper to Italy to Gil
braltar. where copper is discharged and
steamers promptly released.
Marked for Danzig.
Some of this copper is actually found
packed in cases marked for Danz e.
Other parcels are shipments made upon
orders through German houses in Am
sterdam and Rotterdam. some of these
houses being actually connected with
the firm of krupp.
1T Is understood that representatives
of some of the big copper refining firms
have recently sailed from New York
10 Europe with the object of consulta-
tion with representatives of German
firms as to the best means of forward
ing copper to Germany. and private
houses in Italy have also been ap-
preached by purchasers of copper in
Germany with a view of their lending
their names for the purpose of dis
guisinE destination of American copper
shipments.
TO show increase in exports of cop
q per from New York to Italy during
the last few weeks it is only neces-
sary to say that since the 25th OF
October vessels have been diverted to
Gibraltar with no less than 1900 tons
of copper on board. and at the present
moment there are very large ship
ments on the way amounting to some
thousands of tons. This represents
nearly 5000 tons in ten days. The
larger part of these shipments is des-
tined for Genoa. Now il so happens
that an official return of imports OF
copper into Genoa between August ]
ed: for these two and a half months
they amount to only 1876 tons.
Copper Trade Artificial.
On comparison Of these figures the
fact is obvious that the present trade
10 Italy is entirely an artificial on.