New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-15
rr.n The Trlbune Bureau.l

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE impera-
tive necessity for the fulfilling OF
contract 10 deliver 1000 bales Of cot
ton TO Europe is being urged on the
State Department by the owners of the
prospective cargo Of the former Ham
burg-American liner DaCia as a reason
for the United States seeking an agree
ment with the British government
whereby the steamer with her Ameri-
can officers and American crew may be
permitted TO sail from Galveston TO
Rotterdam and return in ballast without
molestatiOn on the part OF the British
naval authorities and without subject
ing herself to the intricate legal pro-
cedure Of a prize court. il is sug-
gested that such a trip could be made
if the United States gave Great Britain
her pledge that the proposed trip OF
the Dacia should not be considered a
precedent and with the understanding
that Great Britain does not waive her
right later to arrest and detain the YES
sci pending the decision Of the British
prize court as TO the bona fides of the
transaction whereby the Dacia was
transferred from German to American
ownership and from the Red, White and
Black ensign of the German merchant
marine 10 the Stars and Stripes.
At the State Department this sug-
gestion was put forward by Solicitor
Cone Johnson with the explanation that
such a suggestion had been made 10 the
British government through Ambassa-
dor Spring Rice. Mr.. Johnson said that
the original plan 10 send the ship from
Galveston 10 Bremen had been aban-
doned and Rotterdam substituted as
the port Of destination in order 10 sat
isfy the question of a change of trade
routes.
Dacia's Owners Ready with Reply.
The Solicitor explained that the ques-
ton of the bona fides Of the transac-
ton and the question of the non-con-
traband character Of the Dacia's cargo
had both been put before the British
government lie said that the owners
of the Dacia were prepared 20 answer
every question with regard to the new
nationality Of their vessel. The Ger
man officers and crew have been re-
lieved throughout the vessel and an
American master, officers and crew sub
stituted.
The good faith Of the transaction has
been settled in the mind Of the OFF,
Gals of the State Department beyond
all doubt, but it still remains TO sat
lSiy Great britain on TINS point. &C
cording 70 Mr.. Johnson the United
States is prepared to contend that the
transfer Of the Dacia had been ac-
complished on straightout purchase
of the vessel. Also, he said, Great
Britain had not disagreed on this point
as yet, only delaying her Interpreta-
ton Of the facts laid before her by
this government.
The main question in the minds Of
the owners of the cargo Of the Dacia,
the Solicitor said, was 10 get the cargo
across the ocean. The owners have en-
gagements TO deliver to meet. and the
amount Of money involved in the trans
action is approximately $75O,OOO for
/ the / 900 bales Of cotton.
The suggestion was presented to the
/ United States government that perhaps
/ the delay on the part of Great Britain
was due 10 a British view that as the
/ purchase money for any German ship
must eventually find its way into Ger
man Golfers, and that as no transfer Of
a German owned ship could take place
without such eventual disposition Of
/ the money, therefore no transfer in
[ time Of war could be valid.
The question was not answered by
Mr.. Johnson.