The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-17
DECISION
EXPECTED BY WASHINGTON

washington, Sept. l6.--Much inter-
est was expressed at the State Depart
ment today in the reports of the de-
cision OF the British prize courts in
the cases OF the American packers
wfeasc goods To the value OF more than
sl5, 100000 are now under orders of
confiscation by the British Govern
ment.
The adverse decision Of the court in
the majority Of claims arising from
the cases OF four ships involved was
no surprise here. 1t had been antict-
pated as result of the proceedings
before the court. There is reason to
believe that the decision does not
come as surprise to the packers
themselves
While interested In the case. not only
because of principles involved but also
because of its magnitude and the VOL
ume of American trade likely to be
affected thereby. the State Department.
has taken no direct or official part In
1t. 1t has frequently been criticized by
the packers during the course OF the
proceedings and at one time II said
1t was asked for the purpose of ex-
pediting the hearings. This request
was withdrawn by the packers. how
ever. before the State Department had
time to act on 1t.
U. S. VIII Take No Part.
There Is no expectation that the
United States will take any part in
the case now that it has been decided
against the American interests. The
only ground for the Intervention Of
the government In behalf of the claim
ants Is the charge that there has been
denial of justice cannot be claimed
by government on behalf Of Its cit
liens, claimants before another gov
eminent. until the claimants have ex-
hausted all legal resources open to
them. Since the prize court in rend-
ering its decision. gave notice to the
American claimants that they might
appeal the courts decision. It Is not
expected here that the government
will be asked until the appeal has
been taken and a decision rendered.
/ The only basis on which the State
Department might now take UP the
case. 1t Ia declared. Is in the event that
the claim Is made by the packers that
1 the case was not properly brought be-
I fore the prize court. However, the
opinion here is that inasmuch as the
packers did not raise this question
at the time the case was In the prize
court. it Is not likely that they will
attempt to do so now. In the event
that the claim was made by the pack
ers, X IL considered likely that the
department would consent to review
the case. If the review were under
taken. the department would then be
compelled to render q decision as to
whether il believed the British Gov
eminent acted within its rights in
submitting the cases to prize courts
1t has been the understanding here
that officials Of the State Department
considered that there was a sufiicient
basis of suspicion in the meat cases to
\ MAR fha Prittuh N nnffipO than
before the prize court
/ That the packers who lost are like
ly to seek n conference with State De-
partmcnt officials for an informal dis
cussion OF the case is considered like
lily. though nothing to this effect has
been heard from the packers since the
decision was rendered.
win Appeal to Privy Council.
| London. Sept. IA. Rurion, repre-
sentative Of the Chicago packers,
appealing 10 Your correspondent with
reference to today's prize court decis-
lions concerning the American packers
productx. said
-cur intsntion 10 to carry the matter
TO an appeal TO the prize council which
meets In October. Should this appeal
fail which W hope 1t will not. then
1t Will be necsssary for the American
State Department to conduct diplomatic
negotiations concerning our products.
II tho two governments are unable 10
agree II will probably be necessary
eventually TO appoint an international
commission"
/ The amount involved in the British
prise court decision IL 3,o0o.oo poundS.
A Tar 40 the American pkcK0F6 are
concerned. their feelings are consider
ably aroused BY the fact that the
greater part Of the product Il sold 1t