Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-09-17
PACKERSPROTEST
MEAT SEIZURE BY
english COURTS
Decision Against Americans
Increases Strained Rela-
tionS With Great Britain
DIPLOMATIC PROTEST
IS Being Considered
BY CHARLEs ?. sTEwART.
unIlad preaa 500 corraapondanl

United Press Stan Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Sept f7.-Extreme
displeasure over the British prize
court decision conhsoating S15, ,00o, 900
worth OF American meats pervaded
administration circles today. Whether
sharp protest will be made y the
State Department depends upon the
injured American shippers.
Omoials privately admitted that the
decision was OF great diplomatic inn
portance as affecting public sentiment
f. the Negotiations COR modification
of England's orders in Council Wnhe
diplomatic action depends upon the
technical lega' course adopted by the
meat packers. the administration, It
can be stated authoritatively, stands
ready TO make vigorous representa-
tions at the proper time.
That the decision increases the
strained relations with Great Britain
I'm the dispute over her interference
with American commerce was admit.
ted by high officials. The State De.
partment has been awaiting the prize
courts action before serding the gen.
eral protest against British CONNER
cial interference. This note must now
be partially redrafteu and probably
win be delayed further, 10 meet the
rew situati IN presented by the prize
courts fndirgE
The State Department expects a re
quest from the packers to overthrow
by diplomatic means, what rs gener
ally considered q most unjust. arhi
trary and conicctural decision. OF
fciais pointed out that practically th
sole evidence on which the cour
based the claim that the America
/, goods were destined, through neu
4 tral ports, for German military use
was the increase IN American e,
ports to neutrals
In former communications ~ Gret
Briimn the state Department ha
+ strenuoualy opposed such "gues.
work" That It will adhere to thi
position is believed certain.
Whether any diplomatic protes
will be made, other than the genera
snote on trade interference. depend
on whether or not the packers decid
% go through the English appellat
courts.
Secretary Lansing went to New
York to attend the -Americai
Mexican conference. After that III
was TO take weeks vacation. Thi
temporarily tied up State Depart
ment developments.
The American shippers refusal tr
accept the burden of proof ant
demonstrate that their goods we're moi
going to Germany. was reported 10.
day by Consul General skinner Lon.
don, as the principal basis of the de-
! cision. The Americans contendef
f, that the British government should
assume the burden of proof
Skinner said the decision sustained
the Ordor-in-council
No attempt was made at the White
House TO disguise the administration.
annoyance at the decision Withou
\ passing on the merits Of the litigation
the White House view was that thl
affair is particularly unfortunate a
a time when a clean cut issue j.
pending with Germany. the new de
velopment tening to muddy the wa
ter of American public opinion.
Administration leaders remarked
that people generally are likely 4
\ overlook the fact that the Chicagi
packers have thus far declined tn
q assistance of American diplomacy
/ preferring TO fight in the Englisl
: courts