The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-22
IMPORTERS ASSAIL
BRITISH SEIZURES
viii Protest to President
Against COnfiscatiOn Of
NOn-COntrabnnd.
BUSINESS SUFFERING

\ resolution urging President Wilson
to protest to Great Britain concerning
the seizure of non-contraband cargoes
from Germany and Austria on their way
to this country In neutral ships was
adopted unanimously by i25 representa-
tivcs Of many ~ the large importing
firms Of the city doing business with the
Teutonic allies In a meeting at the Nc
Alpin yesterday afternoon.
The object OF the importers Is to cause
Great Britain to rescind the British or
DER In council, which tool effect on March
!. The result Of this order. they say, has
been a great reduction in imports, which
" continued much longer will result In
the closing Of scores Of large concerns,
and the addition of about 30 900 men
and women to the ranks Of tine unem-
ploysd.
The importers are particularly anxious
that their movement shall not he taken
a. a violation Of neutrality or an at
tack upon England. In the resolution
adopted they announce themselves in
huenced neither BY Partially nor
prejudice for or against any OF the
b.liigerents la the war now raging IN
Europe, but gathered here solely as bust
ness men desivous of securing the rights
heretofore accorded to citizens OF neu-
trsi countries"
Speakers made it plain that any at
tacks by Germany on neutral ships car
ryiny British non-contrsband goods TO
the United States would he as speedily
resented. Although the resolution is adj
mittedly aimed at Great Britain as the
chief offender. the resolution urges the
protection Of non-contraband goods from
seizure whatever be the country of
their origin
\ delegation Of importers to go "a
Washington tomorrow to register their
protest against the British embargo will
il. decided upon In another meeting to-
day AT the Bilimore.
Ex-Congressman Herman \. Metz,
! who is president OF the F~arbwerke-
| Hoechst Consolidated Color and Chemi-
cal COMPANY. declared that Great
Britain shouts not be asked to permit
4! non-contrabaud cargoes to he sent 20
the United states as "A matter OF court
! esy. but that the right to carry on this
| trade under international law should lie
| asserted.
as understand it," Mr.. Metz said,
"we want to have those goods which
were bought and paid for by us on the
other side before March ! and are nov
Waiting for transport"
Mr.. Metz and James I.emaire, a law
Yer. representing an importing Arm both
urged that the backing OF American
manufacturers and exporters he sole
tied.
L. A. Repp. OF Hoyt. Rspp & co, who
| called the protest meeting. said that II
Was OF the utmost Importance to act
quickly so that the order might be re-
pealed within six weeks Otherwise. he
said, many firms could not continue
business
when q A. Weisenborn. president OF
the Pencil Exchange Of Jersey city
started to read a circular letter he pro
posed to send to 5.oe0 importers % the
Atlantic coast denounc!ng the order In
council in the strongest terms as an In
vasion OF the rights of the United States
hs vas stopped by the chairman OF thu
meeting. ex-Judge Thaddeus :. Shar
retts Of the Appraisers Court, who saiC
that no such communication would b,
allowed OF the minutes Of a meeting o
neutral business men.