The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-30
IMPORTERS ASK RELIEF,
ORGANIZED PRESSURE EXERTIID
TO SECURE FROM ENGLAND
MODIFICATION OF ORDER
IN COUNCIL.

Petition Is Presented at State Depart.
ment-Eansing Promises That Pres
fdent Wilson and Himself Will Do
What They Can i'm Matter.
washington, June 2G.-Pressure of
a formal and organized character was
exerted today on the United States
Government to secure from Great
Britain modification of the embargo
on all commercial intercourse between
Germany and neutral countries.
twenty members Of committee
appointed by more than one hundred
American importers laid before Secre-
tary Lansing and other State DEPART
ment officials petition setting forth
that Great Britain had "studiously
avoided answering the American
note of March 80; that in the mean
time valuable time has been lost in
preparing for future business, and
that the general effect had been harro-
ful to the long established trade in
this country"
The importers pleaded for IAN un-
interrupted supply Of American-own-
ed merchandise, whether the same
has been paid for, contracted for or
may. be contracted for, land the un-
restricted right to ship non-contra-
band goods through neutral countries
to or from Germany.
In a statement issued by the i'm
porters after their conference it was
revealed that Secretary Lansing had
expressed a determination on the
part of both the President and him.
self to do all in their power to aid
the importers in securing the rights
to which they are entitled under the
laws Of nations and by treaty obliga-
tions."
The effect Of today's conference will
not be apparent for several days.
Secretary Lansing took the facts pre-
sented by the importers under consid-
Grafton and will communicate with
President Wilson.
1t has been announced that the
State Department for many weeks has
already been preparing further repre-
to Great Britain asking for
a qualification of the so-called block
ade: The President. however, has
been unwilling to complicate the sit
uation with the delicate negotiations
with Germany In progress.
There has been an insistence In
many quarters that the note should
be sent to Great Britain simultan-
eoasly with. the German negotiations
to emphasize the determination OF the
United States to defend neutral rights.
whether violated by Great Britain or
Germany. ..
. Mr.. Wilson has told friends that
he has been on both sides of the
question Of sending a note to Great
Britain at this time. but it is known,
that he finally decided to wait for
Ger41any's answer concerning sub
marine warefare.
It Is thought certain in diplomatic
quarters here that Germany will in
her next note take advantage of the
Of the United States to sub
NIT suggestions for a modus vivendi
to the allies whereby submarine war
fare might be abandoned if the So
called blockade of commerce through
neutral countries were dropped and
restrictions removed on the shipme mt
Of foodstuffs.
Before note is sent, however, cov-
ering all the phases Of the order in
council. 1t is considered possible that
the statement Of the American i'm
porters will be transmitted to Ambas-
sador Page for presentation to the
British foreign office in order that
Great Britain may appreciate the
growing unrest OF American mer-
chants.