Evening star., 1914-10-30
EXPECTS RELEASE !
OF COPPER SHIPS
State Department Still Awaits
Report of U. S. Consul
at Gibraltar. 81
EMBARGO is LOOKED FOR
BY EUROPE'S NEUTRALS
May Prohibit Expectation of Metal.
England's Position Is
Made Plain. ..

State Department officials were await
ing today further reports from Consul
Sprague at Gibraltar concerning the
circumstances of the detention OF the
American liner Kroonland and thu
Italian vessels San Giovanni and Re
gina d'Italia. both bearing American
copper to Italian and Greek ports
While no official communication of
the declaration of an embargo against
the expectation of copper from all
European neutral countries has been
received at the State Department. it Is
fully expected that such action will be
taken by all of the n-belligerent
nations and that the detained ship
speedily will be released.
Discuss Neutrality Issues.
Chevalier van Rappard. the Neither
lands minister. had a general discus
sion of neutrality questions with Act
ing Secretary Lansing of the State De-
partment today with view to keeping
his countrys commerce as little dis
turbed as possible
The minister informed Mr.. Lansing
that the Netherlands had added wheat
and other grains and all staple food
stuffs to the list of articles which
may not be re-exported. This, he
said. had become necessary in view
of the presence in the Netherlands of
more than one million Belgian ref
ugeeS.
England Expected to Act.
After Il conference between Acting
Secretary Lansing of the State Depart
ment and Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the
British ambassador. late yesterday it
was stated authoritatively that Great
Britain probably would release the ves-
sells carrying American copper detain-
ed at Gibraltar.
1t was learned that the Italian gov
ernment already has declared an em-
barge on the expectation OF copper to
behisei ent countries. but that the noti-
hcatIon had not formally reached Eng
land AS soon as the fact is commun:-
Gated through official channels the
steamers destined to Italy will be per-
mitted to continue their voyage, ac-
cording to the view OF British officials
here, unless some other circumstances
in connection with the activities of the
ships not yet reported develop. 1t is
not known yet whether Sweden and
Greece have declared embargoes on ths
expectation of copper.
The Ambassadors Statement.
The principal object of the British
ambassadors visit to Mr.. Lansing yes
terday was to correct an impression
that Great Britain would protest
against Secretary McAdoo's order to
collectors of customs asking them to
withhold from publication tine nature
of carEoes until thirty days after ships
cleared American ports.
Tne British AMBASSADOR issued the
following statement of explanations:
The United States government has,
of course, q Perfect right to issue
whatever regulations it thinks fit. For
eign powers have no reason to COM
plain. In New York city. this regula-
tion has actually been in force for
some time.
1.-The publication of manifests is not Q
usual practice and depends sJleiy on local
customs in different countries. Nothing
in the regulations prevents the consul6
o. neutra countries frtnl communic iting
to the consuIs OF belligerents, is now
contra band or the intention Of the neu-
tral government in regard to embarsoes."
Exporters Make Demands.
Demands of American exporting inter-
ests We're respo nsible for Secretary Nc
Adoo's order. Since the beginning of the
war the old general manifest, which gave
only vague information of the details OF
the ships cargo. has been replaced by
precise nvoicc of all goods in TIE bottom.
Shipping interests complained tn the
Treasury Department. h. we've. iiat III.
publication g these new mAnifes'S per
.Ited injuriOus.y 10 the lndiri.ual supper
10y acquaiElf ing business rivals with ii
methods. Iney apparently preferred l"
submit to q general exercise III tue right
f search by foreign cruisers FATHER 'illa
expose the details of their private ousi-
ness To tnir rivals.