The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-04
BRITISH EMBASSY ID. FAC|UTATE TRADE OF
 THE UNITED STATES
Issue Statement Advising Shippers as to Best Means of Escaping Detention
 by Allied Warships

E Washington, May 3.--The British em-. bassy issued a statement tonight for the information of American shipping interests designed to facilitate trade tries by pointing out n way to guard against interference by allied warships with cargocs not under the han of Great Britnins bIocade order in coun- ciI.
 The statement has been sent to all British consuls in the United States, to whom shippers are advised to give mo- tice of the character of cargoes, so that the British government may be advised before ships reach European waters. The United States does not recognize the right of the allies to interfere with legitimate commerce between neutrals or with noncontraband goods even when u- timately destined to Germany or Aus tria and has set forth It's position in the lengthy diplomatic exchanges on the sub ject. In order, however, to prevent as far as possible unnecessary delays and detentons the foreign trade advisers of the state department have been holding l informal conferences with British em- i bassy officials in the interest of shippers and to aid those who desire to conform l to the requirements of the order in coun- | oil they have had printed the re-export l embargo lists of the various countries contiguous to the European beligerents. l The text of the British embassy state- ment follows:
 l "The British embassy have received, since the issue of the order in council of March II, numerous applications from shippers of American produce for infor- nation and advice on general lines as to
 the steps which ought to be taken by them 1 to facilitate the quicker examination and passage of consgnments of goods to neu- l tral destinations for neutral consumption
 .'The British embassy can give no as surance as to the immunity from vlsat | and search or detention of any particu- lar shipments; but with regard to con l signments of non-contraband articles as we'll as of articles of conditional contra l band, they are authorized to state that J in cases where adequate information IS l furnished by consigners to show that the l goods shipped are neutral property and | are to be used exclusively for consump- tion in neutral countries or by the all lies. this will be taken into consideration by the authorities charged with the exc | cution of the order in council This will also apply to shipments of certain de- l scriptions of goods listed as absolute con traband. Such goods are, however. | usually subjected to cioser scrutiny and control and in some cases to special ar ] arrangements.
 Would Expedite Work
 "It would greatly facilitate and expe- II dte the work of clearing vessels bound I to neutral ports which call at, or arc I brought into British ports for exami- l nation of their papers, if shipping houses or their agents would give British con. I sular officers duplicate of the fina manifest of the vessel immediately on its departure for Europe in order that. If pos l sible, it may be transmitted to the Brit fish authorities in London in time for i to be received and considered before tn.
 vessel arrives.
 ''ro further accelerate proceedings
 manifests and bills of lading should dis
 close the exact nature of the goods arf,
 wherever it is possible. the name and ful
 business address of the ultimate con signee as well as the name and addres lof the consignor.
 shippers should avoid the use of gene ric descriptions such as hardware, dr : salteries machinery, etc, which ar ca pa ble of being employed to conceal tn real identity of goods classed as con traband. An exact definition of the spe Icific character of consignments will say delay in their examinations: 1t will als facilitate their Identification with the ar
 ticles comprised in the export embars
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