Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-23
Packers Attorneys to
Appeal to Government to
Protest British Prize
Court Ruling.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED
Washington Authorities Prepar.
ing to Contest Decision on
General Principles-Pre-
cedent Is Cited.

Chicago. Sept. 20.-Severe breaks
yesterday We're generally ascribed to
the action of the British Prize courts
in ordering the confiscation of Ameri-
,an provision Traders APP
pcared to take the view that the action
II the British courts would tend to
amper greatly the United States eX-
port trade in provisions.
Hog prices here yesterday We're 25
tents per 100 weight lower than Thurs
day, and a further decline in prices
amounting to 10 to 20 cents per 100
weight characterized today's market.
Other western markets were reported
Is to SO cents under Thursdays quota
lions.
A general strong protest to Great
Britain owe the seizure Of American
meat cargoes is to be- urged upon the
/, ational administration early next
geek by representatives of Chicago
packers, according to announcements
made here today
Henry Needer, representing Swift &
20. and c.. J. Faulkner. IT., represent
ing Ar.:pur 6 Co, are to depart for
the capital Sunday, prepared to take
Up with the state department not only
The cases decided in British prize court
yesterday, but also those involved in
{"S Nv oaN Sol 6oC olAll OSldlIlCu Wy
British authorities.
The administration has already
notified Great Britain that the United
States will not recognize decisions
fased upon the orders in council" said
tlr. Veeder. The cases decided Thurs
day were SO based. Furthermore. the
other pending cases hinge largely upon
the same orders in council"
1t was explained that the action of
the packers will constitute no fresh
application for government action, but
merely a renewal of representations
made previously.
Will Cite Precedent.
According to c. ]. Faulkner, jr,, of
counsel for Armour & Co, the case of
Ing h Russo-Japanese war, will be
called to the attention Of the state de-
Iartment in connection with the
teizure Of meat cargoes by the prize
court. MIR. Faulkner and Harry Weed
er, counsel for Swift & Co., expect to
leave Chicago for Washington, Mon
day, to enlist the assistance of the
government in the case.
In the case Of the Arabia" said Mr..
Faulkner, " a Russian prize court on
demned a. cargo of American meat
which had been consigned to Japan.
The court a animated by much the
Fame reasons as the British court in
tli0 ASoCh Vase, b11IlSly, IldI Tie
shipper should prove hat the con-
Segment was destined to an innocent
purchaser.
John Hay, then secretary of state,
telegraphed to Robert S. Mccormick,
then ambassador to Russia. refusing to
recognize the decision. Mr.. Hay said:
This substantive principle of law
cannot be overridden by technical rule
of he prize court that the owners of
the captured cargo must prove that no
part of it may eventually come to the
hands of the enemy's forces. The proof
Is of an impossible nature and 1t can
not be admitted that the absence of
proof in its nature impossible, can
ju: " the seizure and condemnation
This principle" continued Mr..
Faulkner, ''as laid down by Mr.. Hay,
was later accepted by the Russian gov
eminent"
Nh. Veeder explained that the un-
usually heavy shipments to neutral
countries after the var was declared,
due to the fact that Germany raked
these countries dry of food stuffs, and
the neutrals had to replenisll.