South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-08
BRITISH FEEL
IMPRESSIONS
EXAGGERATED
Embassy Issues Statement of
Facts Relating to Seizure of
American CargOeS on Sea by
War Vessels.

WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-The Brit
bh embassy tonight issued a state
ment Of facts in relation 70 the seiz-
nre and detention OF American car
goes by British war vessels. The
facts are given by the embassy with
out comment, but the view Of the
statement taken in administration Of
fetal circle is that its undOubted pur-
pose is TO allay American resentment
by showing that there has been an
exaggerated impression of the extent
OF British interference with American
foreign commerce. The embassy
statement follows:
"Out OF 773 vessels that have pro
ceeded from the United States to
Scandinavian countries. Holland and
Italy since the beginning Of the war.
only eight have been put in the prize
courts and one Of these has been re-
leased, leaving only seven detained
for decision OF the priZ'- court BY
far the greater number Of those de-
tanned for examination have been al
ready released.
with regard to purchase Of car
goes the British government has pur-
chased many cargoes of copper and
has not yet condemned or confiscated
any neutral cargo or consignment al
though some are awaiting adjudica-
ton.
italian Shipments Free.
shipments for Italy in italian
steamers Of goods placed on the en-
barge list Of the Italian government
and consigned to named persons are
free.
Articles for Holland apart from
copper, petroleum and grain Except
rice and corn) which must be CON
signed to the Netherlands govern
ment, should be consigned to the
Netherlands over seas trust in order
TO insure nOn-interference."
The controversy with Great Britain
on the subject OF rubber which she
has declared contraband, Mr.. Bryan
said tonight, els believed to be ap-
preaching a satisfactory settlement
Mr.. Bryan further announced that
progress Is being made toward agree
ments on naval stores by which such
products can be shipped to the
Netherlands and Italy. Mr. Bryan
explains the reference to the Neither
lands and TO Italy only as due to the
fact that those two countries are the
largest dealers in naval stores.
Great pressure has been brought to
bear upon the state department by
the Florida senators to get some sat
isfaction from Great Britain on the
question OF the trade in naval stores.
Progress on agreements for free
statement which the Netherlands
minister. Mr.. Van Rappard brought
today 20 the state department. IN |
view OF the importance of the IN /
nouncement by the Meth erlands gov
eminent, the state department gave it |
out. 1t follows:
Will not Monopoly GOO1s.
THE British and French ministers
who were joined orally by the Rus
sian minister have declared by a note
dated Dec. 26 that cOntTaband mer-
chandise which is consigned TO the
recently established Netherlands mo-
nopoly for the receipt of imports will
not be stopped. They also declare
that their governments would not
stop fOOdstuffs (nOt the necessaries Of
life) consigned to merchants unless
the merchants are beyond a doubt
mediums for delivery TO the govern
ments Of adverse belligerents. The
minister adds that consignment 10
the monopoly not only allows impOr
tation into the Netherlands with lib
ertv to re-eXpOrt TO the colonies of
that country, but also in the case of
several articles. importation into the
Netherlands with the liberty 10 re-
export to other neutral countries eX-
Cept across enemy territory"
The state department also an
nounced that the Austrian govern
ment had consented TO the eXpOrta
ton of merino wool, hides and skins
20 America. The imports, however. I
must be in British ships and under
the shippers guarantee that the
United States viii not re-eXpOrt either
the raw material or their manufac-
tured products.
State department officials say that
no case has arisen between the United
States and Great Britain on the Ques-
ton of the right or Americans or the
American government 10 purchase the
ships of belligerent nations