Evening star., 1914-10-02
EXPECT TOREOPEN
WORLD TRADE SOON
Conference in Progress to Ef-
feet Exchange of Goods in
Few Days.

RcOpenlng OF the world markets TO
America is expected to result in a few
days from conferences now in prog
ress both in Washington and London.
1t is expected that complete under
standing will be reached between the
United States and Great Britain as to
conditions under which American goods
may be transported into neutral Euro
pean countries and the products of
those neutrals and of belligerents can
be shipped into the United States.
Says British Friendly.
President Wilson has told callers that
the British government has been most
friendly in it's attitude on shipments of
possible unneutral character in Amer:
lean vessels and had shown willing
ness to discuss the question. He de-
clared he had no doubt that a satisfac-
tory arrangement would be reached.
There are many phases of this SUBJ
ject requiring separate examination
and treatment. and State Department
officials regard each one disposed of
as step toward final and compre-
hensive understanding that will pre-
vent any friction arising during the con-
tinuance of the European war. That
Germany and Austria have not so far
been taken into the consultation is ow-
ing to the fact that SO far no issue has
arisen from the attempt of any of
their cruisers to detain American ves-
sells or cargoes.
Probing Copper Seizure.
Sir Cecil SprinS-Rice. the British am
bassador. has made several calls at the
State Department and indicated that
substantial progress had been reached
as a result.
In connection with the complaint of
an American copper company that car
goes Of ingots had been diverted from
Rotterdam to British ports, it was said
at the Department that Solicitor john
son was endeavoring to ascertain all
the facts connected with the case as
condition precedent to any formal rep
resentation it may be deemed neces-
sary to make to the British govern
ment
A statement issued by Counselor
Lansing denied that the British ambas-
sador had given notice that Great Brit
ain intended to seize goods listed as
conditional contraband destined for
Germany even if they were carried in
neutral ships and Consigned to neutral
ports.
Conditional Contraband.
The department made public cable
gram from Ambassador Page. contain
ing a list of articles which the British
government had decided to add to the
conditional contraband" schedule
This included copper, which might be
used for military purposes. 1t was
noted that the list had been proclaimed
September Il. but there is j question
whether il was effective as against
American products before yesterday,
when Ambassador Page was notified.
Officials draw distinct difference be-
tween conditional contraband and food
stuhS and other non-military supplies
As to the latter, it was agreed by the
E-1tlSh government that no interfer-
ence would be offered by British cruis-
ers to the shipment of such food sup
pies TO Holland or any other neutral
country.
Copper Notice Merely Formal.
AS to copper and other conditional
contraband articles it was said that
the notice transmitted by. Ambassador
Page was regarded by the department
as merely for it's information, and it
did not necessarily follow that the
United States would accept or reject
the status accorded these articles by
the British government.
Officials at the British embassy an
nounced that the Netherlands govern
Eaent had given a guarantee to Great
Britain that foodstufs shipped to
Dutch ports would not be allowed to-
cross the Holland frontiers. Without
such an embargo the British govern
ment considered that shipment OF grain
to Holland might fall into the hands of
the German forces now attacking Ant
werp. not distant from the Holland
border.