The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-15
Importers to Hire Ships
and Defy Great Britain
New York Syndicate Plans to Get 900 Worth of
Goods Held Up at Rotterdam. by Using Ameri-
can Bottoms in the Venture.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 1s..--Plans are un-
der way by New York syndicate to
offer a new method OF relief for Amer
lean importers whose goods are tied up
In Rotterdam and who are unable to
get the British Government to live up
to the assurances which IL gave for the
release of the merchandise.
Announcement was made here to-day
that syndicate headed by Jules L.
Bernard OF Bernard. Judae q CO., for
wardng agents Of New York and Chi
cago, are considering the charterlng of
American owned steamships flying the
American flag and manned exclusively
by Americans TO bring about $4,000. 900
OF this merchandise belonging to Amer
lean firms. The plan, as announced here.
Is for the syndicate TO accept all Amer
lean owned goods for which the British
Foreign Office has refused TO grant re-
leases.
The effect OF this movr. IL carried
out. will he to bring tho issue between
the United States ana Great Britain
In regard to this merchandise directly
to head. There will be nothing to
prevent American vessels from taking
on board the American owned mer-
chandise now lying at the neutral port
/ OF Rotterdam. but II Great Britain seizee
the American vessels after they leave
/ Rotterdam and takes them into port
American importers. it is contended, not
only would have the basis for strong
claims against the British Government.
but would be in a position TO appeal
Tor more vigorous action on the part
OF the State Department.
Opinion OF the Importers.
As explained here tonight there are
many importers who believe that II will
be several months before they can have
any hope of obtaining their goods with
the consent of Great Britain. ny the
! time tho goods. If released, are delivered
| here the market in many instances. 1t Is
asserted. will have ended.
Under these circumstances some i'm
, portcrs would prefer To have strong claims
made against the British Government
: for goods seized on the high seas than
they would have the belated goods them
selves. Mr. Bernard has conferred with
Counsellor Polk of the state Depart
ment. but Mr. Polk declined to say what
action the United States would take in
the event OF one of the steamships being
Intercepted by "A British cruiser.
! Mr.. Bernard was the forwarding agent
who was interested in getting William
w. Bride, formerly in the Trade Ad
| visere Bureau. to go TO London. where
Mr.. Bride obtained many releases direct
from the British Government while State
! Department officials were trying in vain
| to get action for other importers who
had not retained private counsel.
This statement has been issued bv
X, &. Mitchell, WHO was formerly in the
/ State Departments Trade Advisers
Bureau, but who is now the Washington
representative of Bernard. Judae co.
II am convinced that no considerable
! concessions are going to he made TO the
1 American importers by the British Gov
: ernment until Congress resorts to re-
taliatory measures. such as IA heavy In
ternal revenue tax ON war munitions, or.
| II necessary. an absolute embargo on the
expectation of arms and ammunition.
! importers throughout the country