The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-11-12
MAY CLOSE COPPER
MINES IN BUTTE
MONTANA MINING MEN FEAR
THIS RESULT lF COPPER
SHIPS ARE STOPPED.

Together with other commercial or
ganizations in Montana, the Butte
chamber of commerce Is urging upon
the authorities at Washington,
through Secretary of State w. ]. Bry-
an and Montana's senators and repre-
sentatives the necessity of putting a
stop to the seizure of copper laden
ships bound from American ports to
neutral countries of Europe.
Secretary Charles Austin of the
Butte chamber has wired Mr.. Bryan
and also sent kilograms to Senators
Walsh and Myers and Congressman
Stout and Evans. These officials are
asked to protest the action of Great
Britain In selling and holding as con-
traband of war copper shipments to
Italy and other neutral countries.
1t is felt by the mining men Of this
state, and of Butte in particular, that
unless something is done to safeguard
copper exports from the United States
1t will prove disastrous to the copper
producing industry of this country.
The Logic of II.
The producers argue that such ship
ments are not in any way a menace to
Great Britain In the present war.
Great Britain's excuse for seizing cop
per is that it is in some indirect way,
reaching the Germans, where it is
made into ammunition to fight the
British with.
Protests have been filed with the
authorities at Washington for some
time, but to date they have proved of
no avail.
1t Is feared that if something is not
done in the premises, or If Great Brit
ain will not agree to call halt on the
seizure of such shipments the copper
mines of Montana will be forced to
close down entirely, as the greater part
of the copper now being mined in this
country is exported.
The following is the wording Of the
telegram sent from Butte to the Mon
tana representatives:
Whereas, The seizure by certain
warning nations of Europe of ships,
sailing under American and other neu-
trail flags, carrying copper to Italy,
Holland and other countries not in
volved in the war, has stopped copper
shipments to foreign countries. except
to England and its allies and,
Whereas, such narrowing of the
foreign markets, with the recent re-
strlcted demand in this country, will
render impossible the continuance of
our copper production. even at the
present curtailed rate, will close our
mines and smelters, the main indus
tries of Silver Bow, Deer Lodge and
other counties of Montana and so
restrict the labor demand as to entail
most serious disaster to the people of
these communities, and.
Whereas, such seizures by warning
nations, or interference with ships I'M
der neutral flags carrying cargoes be-
tween neutral countries is unjust and
indefensible, therefore,
"Re 1t resolved That the Butte
chamber of commerce does hereby
make and record its emphatic protest
against any such interference with
American copper trade with other neu-
trail nations and the secretary is in
structed to forward telegraphic pro-
test to this effect to the state depart
ment at Washington. and we do fur
Their earnestly urge upon our senators
and representatives and governor such
solicitation of prompt and
urgent action by the department Of
state for the release of all vessels so
seized and interference in future
neutral trade.
BUTTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHARLES AUSTIN,
Secretary"