New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-31
BRITAIN FREES
S2OO,ooo,ooo OF
GOODS FOR U.S.,
Notifies State Department
of Concessions in
Blockade.


Washington, Aug. 9O-Reports Of the
notifications Of the British Order in
Council prohibiting exports from Ger
many and Austria, printed exclusively
in The Tribune this morning, were Off
cially confirmed at the State Depart
ment to-day. A cablegram from Consul
General Skinner to-day stated that
Great Britain had agreed to a relaxa-
ton of her rules which is expected TO
release cargoes amounting to $780,
100000 and which affects 10000 Ameri-
can importers
Ambassador Spring Rice called on
Secretary Lansing to-day TO explain the
extent OF the British concessions. He
said that although the negotiations had
been conducted in London with the
British Foreign Office, he was hopeful
that an arrangement could be perfected
allowing importers to present the nee
essary proofs OF ownership to the en-
bassy here and obtain passes for their
cargoes without applying TO London.
At the State Department it was
learned that. contrary to published re-
ports that the department had been
able to accomplish nothing with the
British authorities. while private
brokers had succeeded in getting per-
mits for cargoes worth S600,000 the
action of the British government was
due entirely to the work of the depart
ment's trade advisers. The concessions
obtained by brokers were in isolated
cases, where they were able 70 present
proofs of American ownership.
Many Millions Are Involved.
Generally speaking, it is the inten-
tion of the British government to per-
nit the passage of goods for which the
American importers have entered into
contract with German and Austrian
firms. Heretofore il has been required
that the money shall have actually
been paid for the goods.
Now il will be sufficient to show that
they were regularly contracted for and
that the American importer is really
the person responsible for them and
title rests with him. Goods valued at
many millions of dollars have accumu-
lated Mt Rotterdam and await trans
portation to the United States.
The negotiations have been under
way for more than three months. They
have been conducted for the United
States by the foreign trade advisers OF
the State Department, who at first at
tempted to get relief through the Brit
ish Embassy here. Some weeks ago
they were Informed by Sir Richard
Crawford, commercial adviser OF the
embassy, that chances of success would
be greater if the negotiations were
conducted In London.
The importers have been active in
Washington since the negotiations be
gan, and have 'epreserted to the State
Department that unless speedy relief
was obtained they were in danger of
was believed that under the German
law their properties in Germany, con-
sisting of branch Offices. bank accounts,
etc, could be seized for non payment
Of their accounts with German manu-
facturers
100000 Merchants Affected.
The 10000 importers affected have
connections with smaller houses in this
country dealing in German and Aus
trian goods. so that the total number
of American merchants concerned is
placed by the State Department Off
cials at not less than 100000. The
negotiations with Great Britain have
been entirely informal and do not af-
feet in any way the diplomatic contro-
yersy over restraints on trade.
The British Embassy issued state
ment to-day in which the entire re-
sponsibility for the failure of dye
stufs 10 reach this country is placed
on Germany The statement follows;
april Il formal notice was issued
by the British government that they
would allow vessels carrying two hip
ments Of dyestutfs. which were paid for
by delivery in Germany Of certain cot
ton cargoes. to pass without interfer-
ence. provided he vessels sailed under
a neutral flag; that the shipments were
made from Rotterdam, and the dye
stuffs consigned TO the Secretary Of
Commerce for distribution directly to
the textile industries.
This offer, which was refused by
Germans, still holds GOOD"
Diplomacy Last Resort
for Owners of the Dacia
Washington, Aug. 30.--Diplomacy
will not be resorted 70 by the United
Co.. - 4ha rasa of tho faruar Ham