Evening star., 1915-01-03
Objection Is Registered to the
Redistribution of Naval
Stores as Contraband.
ENGLAND HAS REVERSED
HER DECISION ON RESINS
Effect of New Ruling on Vessels in
Passage Now Is Asked in
Note to London.

Inquiry by the State Department
from Great Britain as to the new class
ifcation OF naval stores as absolute
contraband and registering objections
was made yesterday. Information was
still lacking as to the nature OF the
reply Great Britain will make to the
American note of protest concerning
interference with American trade.
The United States asked Great
Britain for information as to how the
latter's statement, made early in NO
vember, that naval stores. including
rosin, camphor and turpentine. would
be regarded as non-contra band. will be
reconciled in actual practice with the
notification from the British foreign
Office of a week ago saying these
products now are absolute contraband.
Information is sought as to how car
goes now en- route are to be affected
and whether resinous products are IN
cluded in the classification.
The communications which the State
Department sent are said to be the
first protest on specific articles listed
by Great Britain as absolute contra
band. In the American note OF pro-
test it was stated that while the
classif1cations, discussion of them
would be reserved until later.
- Italy Needs Copper.
The italian ambassador informed the
State Department that while statistics
would make 1t appear that extraordi-
nary amounts OF copper shipped from
the United States to Italy might be for
unneutral purposes, the fact or the
matter was that as Germany needed
her own copper, Italy could no longer
import from the countries Immediately
to the north of her, but must seek the
metal in the American markets.
Much qualification was manifest at
the State Department because Of the
release by Great Britain OF the
American oil tank steamers Tiffis and
Margansett and the. freighter George
r. Hawley, which had been held at
Falmouth since November 30. The
case of the Brindilla. originally de-
tanned at Halifax, and re-arfested on
her return journey from Egypt and
taken to a French port, is looked upon
as likely to produce complications.
Should the question of change OF
registry be raised, a precedent may be
set, for while Great Britain has recog-
nized the transfers when Of a bona
tide nature. the attitude of France has
never been explicitly declared.
Sent Co state deaQS.
= The protest concerning naval stores
was communicated last evening to the
governors and senators OF several
southern states. Rosin and turpentine
had been intended for ballast with cot
ton cargoes. and the British govern
nent is on record as stating that car
goes 80 made up would not be regarded
as contraband. The State Department
has no sooner sent notification to this
effect to shippers than the British
foreign office published its new list.
Although this phase Of the situation
was not specifically mentioned In the
recent American note, it was generally
understood to have been contributory
reason for the dispatch of the docu
ment.
To prevent the occurrence OF charges
that American shippers conceal copper
and contraband artlcss in cotto
other non-contraband cargoes, the fol-
lowing formal notice. supplementary to
President Wilson's warning of last
Week, has been issued by Secretary
Rndfield Of the Department Of Com
The attention of shippers Of goods to
neutral countries is called to the i'm
portance of having manifests complete
and accurate.
Must Avoid Mixing.
: >HIt is essential also to avoid mixing
contraband goods in cargoes otherwise
not oontraband. 1t is alleged that some
American manifests have omitted GER
tain contraband goods, also that efforts
have been made to conceal contraband
so that they will be allowed to pass.
"A single case of the kind is enough
TO emharrass all American commerce
to. neutral countries by. throwing
tlNn
tests and on the neutral nature of our
cargoes, thus possibly involving delay
through examining cargoes that other
wise would be avoided"
The attitude of the German govern
ment toward the transfer to American
registry of British-built ships is re-
ported in cablegram from Ambassa-
dor Gerard at Berlin. dated Decem-
Der IS. which was published today In
the daily commerce reports issued by
the foreign commerce bureau.
Gerard Gets Answer.
Inquiry was directed by Mr. Gerard
to ascertain If there would be OBJ
lection to the exchange of American
cotton by such vessels for German
products, and the reply. he states, was
substantially as follows:
1T may be stated that the transfer
to the American flag of British vessel
after war has been started Is not valid.
per sc. but the German government
reserving the right at any time to
withdraw its consent, is ready, where
such ships are engaged only in direct
trade between American and German
ports and carrying American goods
into German ports and returning Ger
man materials consigned to and for
use only in the United States to waive
the invalidity of such transfer"
The message adds that it would be
expedient in the view of the German
foreign office that ap official state
ment of the purpose of such vessels to
engage only in the traffic mentioned be
prepared by an American official, and
that safe conduct for each round trip
be obtained from the German am
bassador here requesting German war
vessels not to interfere with the
steamer.
Italy Thinks United States
Can Enforce Shipping Demand
ROME. January 2, 1856 am.-The
lpo ifo he