The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-18
EXPORTS HELD UP.
correspondence shows Bethmann
HolIweg Knew of Plan.


HollweE Knew of Plan.
The most striking part Of the Worlds
article this morning dealing with tn.
secret correspondence Of Germany's rep
resentatives in this country tells Of a
ruse suggested to the Imperial German
Chancellor with the aim of increasing
here the unpopularity of England's
blockade against exports from Ger
many.
A letter written by Herr waetzoldt,
commercial attache Of the German Con-
sulate In this city. to chancellor Won
Bethmann-Hollweg is produced. This
letter suggests that steps be taken In
Germany to interrupt the delivery from
other proGucts greatly needed in this
country to keep big industries going.
The suggestion applied to such articles
as Germany might easily ship out Of
the country.
The aim set forth was that by holding
up these supplies there would go up a
great outcry against Great Britain, and
that such pressure would be brought on
the Administration as to compel instant
action on the part OF the State De-
partment in demanding that Great Brit
ain lessen the tightness of Its blockade.
The letter I'm which Herr Waetzoldt
suggests the ruse as a means Of creating
American resentment against England
Was written in Garman. The transla-
tion follows:
Imperial German General Consulate.
Journal No. N. 1876.
Report Nc. II. 30-15.
New YORK, June 80. 1915.
Tit joint procedure OF the importers
OF goods from Germany and AUSTRIA
Hungary. suggested In my report OF
June 10, 1915, H. 24-15, has taken a
wider scope than could have been ex-
pected at first.
The last two meetings, in which a
protest against the British order in
cyuncil was formulated. were unex-
pectedly well attended and led to the
sending OF a commission to Washing
ton, which was received by Mr.. Lam
sing OF tho State Department, and re-
ceived Arm promises, but no absolute
assurance. that the Department of
State would guard the interests of the
importers. Further. a petition was
sent TO tho President. which was sub
scribed to by nearly all the large inn
portcrs, besides a lumber of American
business men who receive materials
from Germany and Austria.
In the petition II was firmly
pointed out that the payment for
goods before shipment was not GUS
lomary or ~businesslike. and that just
The largest and most responsible
American firms, who are accustomed
to transact their business on open
credit, will have to suffer because Of
the order IN council. and that many
American firms also had running on
tracts for delivery with German fac
tories. and even also owned some
factories In Germany.
II is also pointed out in the petition
that the trade with specified persons
in a few cases Is Just as little bene-
fted as by payment for III goods In
case OF seizure. Tho American bust
ness houses must insist upon a general
permission to deal In goods which are
not oontraband.
state Department Policy.
As I have been assured by the in
terested circles, the State Department
In now no longer Inclined to support
the commission for exceptional cases
In isolated instance. but intends to
work toward a general rule. On this
basis the Department Of State 10 also
supposed to be opposed to sending an
official Commissioners TO London to
handle isolated cases with the British
Gover nment IL Is also to advise
against the sending OF q representa-
tive OF the importers TO London to
handle the exceptional cases All
negotiations OF the American GOVERN
ment with the British Government
were. up 10 this time. unofficial.
AZ the movement In the business
world has taken on such a wide scope
and great pressure Ia being brought
Ia bear on the stare Department from
oficial sources. II In possible that the
natter Will In the future be handled