Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-25

4
which such shipments must cease to
ENJOY the special immunity, therefore
granted. from liability to being placed
III the prize court 1t had been OBJ
served that large increase had taken
place IN the number Of vessels sailing
from neutral countries to America. I'm
such circumstances il appeared scarcely
possible goods of enemy origin. bought
| ana p"id Tor prior to March l, should
not have already shipped to their desti-
nation. First of June was accordingly
liked rs the date after which the privi-
lcSc allowed in the case of such ship
mchts would cease; but once more Il
special favor was granted by extending
the date in exceptional cases to the 18TH
of June.
GREAT CONSIDERATION
FOR AMERICAN INTERESTS
II. Importers III the United states
having now had three months in which
10 ciear on their purchases in enemy
territory. His Maiesty'S government
trust that in view of the circumstances
enumerated. the United States govern
inent Will acknowledge the great con-
SHERATON which has been shown TO
American interests.
'l3. Nevertheless Il fresh a.ppeal has
now been made to His Maicsty's gov
eminent that shipments of American
owned goods of enemy origin. if paid
ior before the beginning OF March.
should be allowed to be shipped with
out molestation after the 18th of June.
The appeal is based principally upon
me contentious CAD that insufficient
time already has elapsed: CD that no
mention OF time limit is made in tho
enactment of the 18th of March: iCJ
that the proofs of ownership required
pE Ills Malcsty's government are OF an
eNactins nature and involve much time
for preparation.
IA. The first contention "a, b,. .,
ready been dealt with AS regards
'b) anu co. II is true that the enact
ment OF the llth of March contains no
mention OF time limit. But II seems
10 10 De overlooked that the time limit
had peen fixed only for the special i'm
muhity granted an exception from,
that enactment. 1t was as a friendly
concession 20 American interests that
ms Ma1cstH's government agreed to an
investigation OF claims outside tho
prize court. AS for the eXactinr- unt,re
OF INC proofs required by His Majesty's
government experience has shown that
such proofs were necessary.
10 III difference. however, 10 the
renewed representations of the United
states ambassador, His Majcsty's gov
eminent has given further directions
that In all such cases as NAV have
heen specially submitted through rho
brltish embassy at Washington or TO
His Majcsty's government direct on or
before 18th June, and passed ,be
goods shall be allowed to proceed
without interference, If shipped from
neutral port OH the conditions al
READY laid down, Notwithstanding tho
TACT that shipments may not have
been made before 18th June
IS His Majcsty's government would
also be prepared hereafter TO give
spec!al consideration TO cases pre-
scented to them and involving particular
harnships, II the goods concerned are
required for neutral governments or
municipalities. or in respect of works
OF puhic utility. and where payment
can he shown To have been made be-
fore the LIST March, 1915.
-. WITH the above exceptions His
Majesty's government regret they cam
not continue 10 deal through diplom-
attic channels with Individual cases, but
theE would gain point out that spc-
c!ai provision is made for the consid
Grafton for such cases In the prize
court.
rs Complaints Nave not jnfre.
Quently been made that undue delav
occurs IN dealing with American car
goes on the prize court An Interesting
comelent on this subject was made by
the president OF the prize court in
the case OF the cargo on the steam
snip oGeechee on the 18th inst His
lordship according to the transcript
from the official shorthand writer's
notes. made the following observa-
tlons
IT is a very extraordinary thing
''thbb TIC are READY TO
on, the claimants come here and say
We cannot proceed for six weeks"
Some day towards the end OF the last
term I had n row OF eminent counsel
In front pressing me to hx case at
once. fixed it very nearly at once
that !s to say. tho second day OF the
following term. They all came and
said:
1--WE want an adjournment for six
weeks
10. The solicitor-g general hercupon
Remarked:
III ] might say 80. one of the rea-
sons I applied to day on behalf of the
crown that the matter should be dealt
with as soon as possible is for that
very reason. There has been such q
strong desire on the part OF America
and American citizens that there
should be no delay, but one finds, in
fact the delay comes from there
go. The president then stated:
al know that. | do not know what
the objection is. but | am anxious that
there should be no delay.
'2l. 1t is true that number of cases
principally relating TO cargoes. which.
though ostensibly consigned to IL per-
son In ii neutral country in reality are
believed TO be destined for the enemy,
have been pending in the prize court
for some time. The United States gov
eminent are aware that most OF these
cargoes consist of meat and lard, and
that much OF the delay in bringing
these carsoes to adjudication was due
TO the fact that negotiations were be-
Ing carried on for many weeks with
a representative OF the principal Amer
lean meat packers for an nmicahle set
Element out OF court. When at length,
owing TO the failure OF the negotia-
tons, His Majestys government decided
that they would continue the prize
court proceedings, and had. at the re-
quest OF the claimants, fixed the eRrl-
est possible date for the hearing. coun-
sci for the latter asked for Il postpone
incnt III their interest, despite the fact
that the crown was by his own admis-
, sion. ready 10 proceed