Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-16
PACKERS DEMAND
USE OF HIGH SEAS
American Meat Men Appeal to U. S.
State Department to Insist
Britain Free Cargoes.
ACTION PURPosELY DELAYED


WASHINGTON. July l5.-Ameri-
can meat packers appealed to the
state department today to demand
that Great Britain stop interfering
with their cargoes consigned TO neu-
trial ports and settle for $4,000. 900
worth OF their products now held up
In prize courts. They charge the
British government with the destruc-
ton Of commerce in food products
between the United States and other
neutral nations.
After two conferences between the
packers and Chandler Anderson. special
counsellor Of the state department. II
was announced that the department
would make representations 60 Great
Britain II lie understood that this would
be done Immediately, the communication
dealing specifically with the complaint
OF the packers and not going into the
general subject OF interference with neu-
trail trade under the order In council
against commerce with Germany, which
soon IL 20 be made the subject OF an
other note.
Claims Delayed.
Tha packers will discuss their differ.
encos- further with Mr.. Anderson tomoF-
row. In statement tonight outlining
their case as laid before the depart-
menk, they declare that the British gov
eminent purposely delays settlements OF,
their claims for seized cergoes. and that
they are not inclined 10 reopen trade
with neutral countries unless they can
DO aasured Of delivery OF their shipments
20 ports designated.
The statement gives the binory OF the
detention OF consisnments .6nr ScaDdins-
Wan countries shipped before the British
order In ooun, u was issued In some In
stances and In others before II was known
, 20 the packers.
eAs reported 10 the packers by their
representative in England. Alfred r.
uricn." says the statement, tho latest
terms for the release OF the carsoes az
laid down by Great Britain. are held
70 be % onerous So 10 be unacceptable.
Attorney Urion went 20 England, ar
irving there ehe latter part OF January,
In response TO . request made by SIR
Edward Grey. through the English om-
UMaAI NJ NNaNMA8t'hf " NAA'hAN WV
seizure IT the shipments with a view
OF arriving at some conclusion In the
matter.
Until week ago the claims. the pack
ers were assured by their representative
In England. would be amicably adjusted.
practically ali differences having been
ngreed upon when the new set Of unrea-
sonable terms were suggested by the
authorities and Immediately rejected by
the packers.
In brief these latest terms are,
what Terms Are.
THAT the packers guarantee Great
Britain against claims arising out OF
the detention OF ships.
THAT the packers guarantee Great
Britain against the claims OF buyers
who bought and paid for large guam
titles Of products seized
The packers assert that this lat
est move by Great Bnsain IL only an
other step 10 delay a settlement OF the
problem, and that there appears 10 be
absent the sincere desire TO settle the
controversy. With the tit,oo0.Ooo Of
packers products held up In tho prize
courts and with the settlement OF the
controversy as remote as Il was
months ago. the packers are not In
clined 70 take further chances IN re-
opening trade with neutral countries
unless they are able to receive rs
nurances that their products will be
allowed 70 arrive AZ the ports desig-
mated.
In their conferences with Mr. Ander-
son the packers were insistent that the
American government should take firm
action. and their statement says OF this
phase OF the subject;
The packers assert that the attitude
Of Great Britain seems incredible In
view o. the many adjustments they have
made 10 meet the English government IN
liz demands. They take the position OF
being entitled 10 fun compensation for
their goods. and declare that as Amer
ican citisons they should be afforded
protection By the United States and that
this government should take determined
stand 70 protect their rights 70 ship 20
neutral countries"
Cases that Are Emphasized.
The statement lays particular stress
upon the cases Of five cargoes shipped
before November = last In neutral steam
ers for Copenhagen and seized on the
high seas on the ground that they were
AitlnA4LIly neauucu TOT 0trmtut. fneae
cases. postponed from time 10 time. arc
set TO come up IN the prize court again
tomorrow. The ships involved are the
Alfred Noble. Bjorstjarne. Fridland. Kim
and Arkansas. Three sailed before the
order-in-council was issued and two be-
fore the order was known 70 the pack
ers. The packers maintain that the
goods had been sold 81 neutral ports be-
fore shipment. or where the goods had
not been 80 sold. then 70 the consignors'
agents for sale BY them 10 bona fide neu-
trAt purchasers az such neutral ports"
The packers call attention 10 a state
ment made by Premier Asquith IN the
House o. Commons March I last that
vessels with carRoes which have sailed
before the date Of this notification (order-
fn-counciD viii not be affected
The statement continues:
shortly after the beginning Of the
war the British ambassador az Washing
ton assured the United states govern-
ment that Great Britain would not in
ierfere with the trade In foodstuffs be-
tween neutrals. With this IN mind the
packers say they were justified In max
ms their shipments 70 neutral ports In
neutral ships.
Release nrfused.
=