New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-02
Letters Sent Out Saying
the State Department
Backs w. w. Bride.
SOUARELY DENIED
BY THE OFFICIALS
Owners of Detained German
Goods Told Private Concern
Can Get Releases.
From The Tribune nuresu J


ton will he taken by the State Depart
ment following charges by importers
that persons asserting themselves to
be its accredited representatives have
been sending letters offering to have
detained cargoes released and intimat-
ing that in no other way could their
release be obtained The persons max
ing the offer have no official or unoffi-
cial connection with the department
and it is understood TO be the inten-
tion of Secretary Lansing to put a stop
to what had promised 20 be a thriving
business.
One letter which has aroused the
State Department mentions the name
Of William W. Bride, close friend Of
ex-Secretary Bryan. This letter is
signed by John L. Vandiver of Phila-
delpha. and after telling what he viii
do for importers, closes with the state
ment:
"Mr. Bride went to London in our
employ. duly accredited by the state
Department and the British Embassy,
and is assured Of the assistance of Am
bassador Page, Of London, if found nee
essary."
State Department Annoyed.
The State Department takes excep-
ton not only to the wording of this
paragraph, but to the whole letter.
Mr. Brides credentials, according 70
officials, consist only of a letter of in
PRODUCTION to Ambassador Page such
as would be given to any other Ameri-
can who was known, and contains the
usual formal expression that the am
bassador extend to him the usual cour-
tesies.
At the British Embassy it was said
that Mr.. Bride had no official cOnnec-
ton whatever with the embassy, and
that he might have had letters Of in
PRODUCTION from members of the staff
TO some Of their friends in London.
Letters have been sent broadcast to
importers in this country who have
had their cargoes detained 1t IS
understood that some close friends OF
ex-Secretary Bryan have gone into the
business Of releasing detained cargoes,
but whether they are working with Mr..
Bride has not been learned.
The letter in the possession Of the
State Department says:
81 have been affiliated for many yeaW
with Messrs. Bernard, Judae & Co., of
Chicago, who are large forwarding
agents, having Offices in all the large
foreign ports, and we have been
handling large importations from Eu-
rope through Philadelphia. New York,
etc, for delivery here and throughout
the West.
Brides Name Brought In.
1--WE have completed arrangements
by which we can assure importers that
any goods which they have purchased
in belligerent countries can be for
warded to tie country, and we have
engaged Mr. William W. Bride, for
merly one of the Board of Foreign
Trade Advisers connected with the
United States State Department in
Washington. and who is now in Lon
don. and through whom We will obtain
permits from the British Foreign Office,
the British Board of Trade and the
War Trade Bureau in London for goods
purchased by American importers to be
shipped out of Rotterdam
This is the only plan by which such
imports can be secured by American
importers. and Mr. Bride has already
succeeded in getting permission cover
ing number Of importatiOns.
81 shall be pleased to arrange for
any importations covering purchases
which have been made in the bellie-
ercnt countries, and shall endeavOr TO
call on you in the near future in con-
nection with same.
"The essential features necessary are
that the firms or corporations shall be
American, and that the goods arc pur-
chased for delivery at the factory or
at some port in Europe, and that the
goods are to be paid for either by re-
mittance, by letters of credit or after
arrival; we cannot agree to handle
goods sent on consignment
Evidence Needed.
Evidence must be produced to show
the purchases, by copies of untitled or
ders, acceptance of same, copies Of in
voices. evidence Of letters of credit and
copies Of papers covering former ship
ments from the same shipper, showing
that the American firm has been for a
series Of years ordering and purchas-
ing goods from the shippers. These
documents may consist Of copies OF
former invoices, bills of lading. for
wardcrs' advices, eviden>, OF pa!ment
and insurance placed on former ship
ments.
"Mr. Bride went to London in Our
employ, duly accredited By the State
Department and the British Embassy
and is assured Of the assistance OF