The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-31
WALSH DISCUSSES
? SEIZURES OF COPPER
Montana Senator Hopes For
AmicabIe Settlement and
Speedy Reparation.

With the country awaiting with no
little measure OF anxiety the reply
Of Great Britain TO the protest of the
United States against interference
with. American commerce. Senator
Walsh of Montana today spoke in the
Senate OH the subject of seizures OF
copper as contraband and objected
strenuouSly to the course the Eng
lish have been pursuing.
The speech. which was given the
close attention Of Senator'S. is looked
on as rejecting to some extent the
disposition of Congress to insist that
american commerce be treated with
fairness and that il be not harasse
and annoyed unduly by British naval
vessels
On the whole. the speech was not
rnfriendly. Senator Walsh closed with
yne wish that the relations between
the two governments might always
be friendly. but he voiced regret and
tuTprise at the course taken. Assert
ing the British government might
we'll avoid an offensive course, he
said:
There is no sentiment Of hostility
or luminosity in the United States to-
ward Great Britain. save in sporadic
cases of no consequence, in the sum
Grant that our relations may always
.-enIain frieni ly. The feeling engen-
oered by the aggressicns complained Of
IS akin to the surprise and regret ex-
perienced by one who has been cruel
y wroneed by a friend and who re-
mains confident that a personal ex-
PLANTATION and candid conference will
wipe out all differences and bring a
speedy Teparation. II is in this spirit
The American people await the re-
President TO our ambassador to st.
James
Extent of Seizures.
senator Walsh first discussed the ex-
lsnt of the seizures Of copper as con-
trsbSnd, saying:
Since the commencement of the pres
ut devastating war in Europe ship
flents Of copper from the United States
10 ports OF neutral nations on the Con-
unept, reaching the enormous asgre-
cate OF 1880 tons, have been seized
and are being held by Great Britain as
contrsesnd. At the prevailing prices,
which are more or less depressed in
consequence OF the interruption in
trade, arising BY reason Of hostflities-
The merchandise involved in che seizures
,as g value IN excess OF -. 500, co.
their copper freight-four destined TO
Holland. fourteen to Italy. and thirteen
10 Sweden Nine thousand three hun
dred and fifty tons are piled Up at
Gibraltar.
I'm magnitude no interference with
commerce between Eeutrals of which
our annals make mention can compare
with that to which the attention OF the
senate Is now directed"
. After 4 legal discussion Of contra
band, Senator Walsh said:
obviously the power assuming the
Iesponsibility for the capture must be
prepared 20 establish that he ultimate |
destination is the territory OF the
enemy.
The cases from our own courts deal |
ng with the subject OF continuous |
rayaEe' have been dwelt upon at what |
may seem unnecessary length, because
ne idea has beer encouraged that our |
Government is now taking an attitude !
Inconsistent with that assumed BY II IN |
he civil war, and out of harmony With
he rules our own courts had pre- |
scribsd touching belligerent rights.
Held Without Warrant.
Prom such sources as are open TO |
ne general public IL is learned that the
1ptures were made and the copper |
1eId upon the claim that It was destined |
OF Germany and 10 be used in connec- |
ION with the prosecution Of the war. |
!. bout the only explanation Vourhssfed |
% the shippers is that shipments In |
c1ususl and extraordinary amounts |
=ere being made 20 the neutral coun- |
ts1ss or Europe. and particularly to |
tally. II Italy were not herself a large 1
Consumer OF copper: II her seapoTts |
we're not great marts in which copper |
e sold for consumption In the adjacent |
countries: Il Genoa were Nassau; II |
itzly, 70 appesse England. in order that !
itsr own manufactures might pc cup
yiicc, had not voluntarily laid an en- !
'arEo upon the expectation OF copper, |
IA So Of heavy iF17rnr-f lions
20 far as II exists, might be significant"
Copper leaving our shores was seized 4
: nd lie stin detained, after the lapse OF 1
ninety days. without any erort 70 /
obtain an adjudication against it.
senator Walsh did not go into the 1
sciEures OF foodstuffs and cotton, but 4
cid them unjustihed. He declared /
mere was mover a day when cotton 4
shipments from our ports should have
cen interfered with.