The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-21
st. Lo uis Convention
Considers Problems
of international Law
and u. S. Commerce
MAIN ADDRESS BY .
PROF. j. B. MOORE
British Government Imposes Searching
Prohibitions on Trade With Enemy
and Holds UP Neutral Goods It
Chooses to Gall Contraband
Blu Associated Press.


st. Louis, Jan. 21.-Several hundred
delegates representing the leading COM
mercial organizations of the United
States attended the opening session of
the second National Foreign Trade con
vention which met here to-day. An ad
dress was delivered by Secretary of
Commerce Redfeld.
Permanent organization then was ef-
fected and the convention began tho
consideration of problems of interna-
tional law as they affect American
commerce during the present European
war. The principal address on this top
ic was made by Professor John Bassett
Moore, former counsellor of the State
Department. After discussion of the
points raised in Mr.. Moore's address
the convention heard an address by
John j. Arnold, of Chicago, on "For-
eign Banking, Loans and Credits
The afternoon session was to be de-
voted to a consideration of the govern
ment regulation of commerce as it af-
fects foreign trade and to the problems
of the small manufacturer who desires
foreign trade.
Among those who discussed tho
points raised in the address of Profess
sor Moore was Carman f. Randolph, Of
New York.
Mr.. Randolph s Discussion
'"All things considered he saids
''we may hold the British governments
responsible for the far reaching and Sc.
we're restraint on international trade.
At home it imposes most searching pro-
hibitions on trade with the enemy. At
sea it holds up whatever neutral goods
it chooses to call contraband and
chooses to suspect of ultimate enemy
destination.
Considering British policy, | am
by no means persuaded that it will
hasten the peace or prove a decisive
factor in the war.
The particular interests of the
United States are quite sufficient TO
warrant strong but temperate demand
for proper respect for neutral com
merce and the United States will, in
maintaining its trade at as high level
as just regard for belligerent inter
ests permit, serve the larger and perm
anent interest of the world
Secretary of Commerce Redfed in
his address reviewed the work of the
Department of Commerce in promoting
foreign trade, He said that since May,
1914, the department had stationed
eight commercial attaches abroad.
''The department, he continued,
''now has in mind the development of
cooperating branches of the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce all over
the country in the thought that in time
every Chamber of Commerce may be.
come affiliated with the bureau and
keep in constant touch with it.
Causes of Cotton Troubles
The problems of the exporter of cot
ton and the cotton grower were ascribed
to scarcity of shipping and to enormous
increases in transOceanic freight rates
due to the war, in the address of D. W.
Kempner, of the Galveston Cotton Ex-
change, who spoke before the Foreign
Trade conference.
Freight rates to Liverpool have ad-
vanced an average of about So on
bale of cotton, said Mr.. Kempner.
1t may surprise some of you to
know that the highest freight rates for
any service are now demanded by own
ers of American vessels,'' said Mr..
Kempner, "and it is by no means un-
usual for such ship owners to demand
for the hire of vessel worth 100000
rental of $4,000 per month, out of
which is paid by the ship owner only
the wages Of the crew and the upkeep
of the vessel, the charterer in addition
being expected to pay insurance on the
vessel for the voyage, coal for her
steam and deliver her back on this
side to the port of the owners selec-
tiOn.
Lessons of Commerce in War
Whether the solution of our diff
eulties lies in a government owned
merchant marine, | am not prepared to
say, but | am prepared to affirm that
the lessons of commerce in this war
teach us that in times of peace every
advantage and benefit should be given
to vessels flying the American flag to
the end that in the time of war, wheth-
er we be neutrals or belligerents, they
may serve the commercial and martial
needs of this country"
No placa for Iatterc