The Washington times., 1915-01-12
Treasury and Commerce De-
paFtments to Combat Grey's
Trade Statistics.
EEjoMpER IS WITHHELD
NeutraIs Of Europe May Inter.
vene, in Controversy Be-
4 tween U. S. and England.

the trade protest Of the United states
was discussed At length at today's
meeting of the Cabinet. Pending the
receipt of the principal reply. 1t was
decided that the State Department
should not send q rejoinder. In the
meantime, it Is understood. it was de-
cded that the Department Of Commerce
and the Treasury Department should
eather statistics to combat those set
forth In the British reply.
President Wilson told callers. before
the Cabinet met. that he had not read
tho reply, and for that reason had 10
opinion to express regarding its COLL
tents. He denied that he had expressed
10 anyone the opinion that the British
attitude was unsatisfactory to him.
Create False Impression,
1t was pointed out today by officials
OF the state Department who have ex-
amincd the statistics, quoted by the
British note In support OF its contention
that American trade has not suffered
materially by the seizures of American
Carsoes. that these statistics are cal
culated to create a false impression.
For example, 1t was pointed out that
while these statistics show a big jump
in the exports from the United States 10
Denmark. they do not take into consider
alton the fact that before the war started
much of the products which Denmark
is not compelled to buy from the United
States was bought from Germany.
Dudley Field Malone. collector of
the port of New York. who called at
the White House today to see the
President on another matter. was
asked to explain some of the ways
in which the British practices are
harmful to American trade.
He cited as an example thai it costs
shippers from $500 to $1,000 q day to
charter ships. and pointed to the case
of y ship, costing that much in charter
a mixed cargo consigned to an indi-
viduaI in Holland. Accompanying the
shipment, he said, there might be an
affidavit to the effect that the con-
alignment. as far as the, shipper
The ship is held up on the higl, seas.
taken to a British port. and detained
two or three weeks. The British gov
ernment may decide to take part Of
the cargo. paying the shipper there
for. But the $1,000 a day charge dur
ing the period of detention. he de
clared. IL not paid. Moreover, he de-
clared. damages paid could not cover
the general decentralization which the
ticular American shipper involved,
but to American shipping generally.
Neutrsls May Intervene.
Intervention. either by their own ini-
tative. suggestion OF Great Britain. or
request Of this Government. of tho
European neutral nations into the
shippins controversy was forecast by
officials today.
Every indication is that receipt of the
final reply of Great Britain must be the
signal for widespread ramifications
of the diplomatic negotiations to in
cludc Italy and the Scandinavian co,al /
tries. Another prospect Is that CH r
many might jump into the diploras ii,
FRAY with a note protesting to thi
Government. against sales and ship
metit of,;war munitions to the alfics.
High officials today intimate q tina
the situation is now more prcgnan
with Diplomatic quirks than ever. Man,
formal guarantees be Iiver. by tn
ne,strai countries that AMERICAN food
stuffs, copper. rubber, etc. shall no
be re-exported to the allie = enemies
Fleet will cease interfering with Amer
;caR commerce.
:: Might Add TO Protest.
A. suggestion Of this son.. it is stated
might Immediately bri,i,: the neutra
nations affected, directly into the con
troyersy.
II IL doubted If tbs Government
would send notes to tie other neutral
formally asking such II guarantee. But
to Insure retention of the America
market. diplomatic and other affical
deemed 1t not impr ,bable that the neu
trail countries woul a. on their own ini
tiatrve, take form al steps by givin
assurances again st transportation o
by denying charges that they al,
she clearing horse for unneutral ship
fnents to the Ttnltonic allies