The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-17
BRITISH COURT SEXES
U. S. MEAT PRODUCTS
Special Cable Despdtch 10 THE Srx

Special Cable Despdtch 10 THE Srx
LONDON, Sept. l6.-Fifteen miiisu
dollars worth Of American meat prod
ucts principally from Chicago were con-
demned to-day by British prize court
on the charge that they were destined
ultimately for Germany. for the con-
sumption OF the German army ana
navy. The goods were declared forfeitsA
to the Crown.
The prize court gave leave Of appeal
fixing the security for costs at SaB,.
900. divisible among the appellants.
THE SUNS correspondent was In
formed after the decision was handed
down that the American packers prV-
pose TO appeal to the Prvy Council,
which meets in October. II the appeal
fails. they intend to try to induce the
American State Department to enter Ints
diplomatic negotiations with the British
Foreign Office, and in the event Of these
negotiations failing they will try TO havs
an international commission appointed
to pass upon the matter
The American products condemned
formed the cargo of three Norwegian
steamships. Jim, Alfred Nobel Btoernst-
jerns Bjoernson and one Swedish
steamship, Fridland.
In handing down his decision. Sir Sam.
uel Evans, president OF the court al
luded to bad faith on the part OF the
American shippers, saying that bel
ligerents are entitled to expect from
heutrals a frank course Of conduct" To
rule otherwise than he did. no said,
would be 'to allow ones eyes to be
blinded by theories and technicalitieA"
Decision Long Delayed.
Only a small proportion OF the goods
which figured in the prize court pro-
ceedings were allowed to proceed to their
destination.
To-days final prize court decision
comes ten months after the ships that
carried the goods were seized and taken
into British courts Ever since that
seizure. which occurred last November
the American shippers have made vigor-
Gus efforts 10 obtain an early ruling
The British authorities set the hearing
for June. II dragged along until August,
but judgment was withheld until to-day.
one of the chief factors leading TO to
days decision was the sudden and enor-
nous increase in the number of shi pments
to Scandinavia Immediately after the
b1 the "tI J ne DItSlutlt OF tne
prize court contended that the vessels
when captured were carrying more than
thirteen times the amount of goods 90
Copenhagen which under normal condf,-
tions would be taken to that port From
this he concluded that the goods were
destined eventually for Germany.
In support of his contention Sir
Samuel asserted that one American com
pany engaged in the expectation of lard
shipped in three weeks after the war
began twenty times more 10 Copenhagen
alone than 1t had sent in times of peace
He added that before the war only
small quantities of timed meat had been
sent to Denmark, yet the vessels can
tured contained hundreds of thousands
OF tins. To him 1t was plain, he said,
that these supplies were intended for
German use.
The question. when Is rubber gumr'
or when liz gum rubber" was dealt
with by Sir Samuel as follows:
II have come to the conclusion that
gum is not a true commercial descrp-
tion for rubber. and that II was used
In the ships manifests in order to avoid
the difficulty which would result In its
capture by a belligerent
"Any concealment OF this sort will
while l sit In the prize court. weigh
a course. Neutrals are expected TO con-
duct their neutral trade during the war
without false papers, and with oandor
and belligerents are entitled to expect
from neurals frank course of con-
duct"
One claim of a Danish manufacturer
for quantity Of rubber was allowed
by the prize court, tho president grant
ing that 1t had been shipped u ,pa