Evening star., 1915-09-19
CASE OF THE ARABIA
USED AS PRECEDENT
Chicago Meat Packers Recall
U. S. Governments Protest
to Prize Court Ruling.
VIEWS OF SECRETARY HAY
ACCEPTED BY RUSSIA
Incident of Russo-Japanese War
Considered in Connection With
Recent British Seizures.

CHICAGO. September 1s-The case
Of the steamer Arabia, which arose
during the Russo-Japanese war, will
be called to the attention of the State
Department in connection with the
seizure of meat cargoes by the British
prize court, according to c. ]. Faulk-
ner. jr., of counsel for Armour & Co.
Mr.. Faulkner and Harry veeder. coun-
sci for Swift & Co.. expect to leave
Chicago for Washington Monday to en-
list the assistance of the government
in the case.
'In the case of the Arabia" said Mr..
Faulkner today, "a Russian prize court
condemned a cargo which had been
consigned to Japan. The court was
animated by much the same reason as
the British court in the present case,
namely. that the shipper should prove
that the consignment was destined to
an innocent purchaser.
Mr.. Hays Objections.
John Hay, then Secretary of State,
telegraphed to Robert s. Mccormick
then ambassador to Russia, refusing to
recognize the decision. Mr.. Hay sah
This substantive principle of law can
not be oyerridden by technical rule of
the prize court that the owners of the
captured cargo must prove that no part
of it may eventually come to the hands
of the enemy's forces. The proof is of
an impossible nature and 1t cannot be
admitted that the absence of proof, in
its nature impossible. can justify the
seizure and condemnation
This principle" continued Mr.
was later accepted by the Russian gov
ernment."
Mr.. Veeder explained that the un-
usually heavy shipments to neutfal
countries afterward was declared to be
due to the fact that Germany raked
these countries dry OF foodstuffs and
the neutrals had TO replenish.
cargoes Held at Rotterdam.
Cargoes held at Rotterdam bv the
British embargo. valued at many mill
lions OF dollars. are expected to be re
called to the attention of the Washing
ton government in connection with the
packers case.
According to W. F.. Ulrich, vice presi-
dent of the Importers Forwarding
Company. Chicago, representing so i'm
porters OF Chicago and neighborinp ter
ritory. careoes valued at approximate
ly sl2.Y0O.01o consigned to Chicago
alone are held up at Rotterdam
That will give an idea of the value
OF the shipments destined to other
cities as wei as Chicago. and held up
in this high handed way" said Mr. II
rich. The shipments were purchased in
good faith at a neutral port. but the
ships dare not move for fear of con-
hscation. II is true that some few
individual cargoes have been moved
through the efforts OF attorneys work
ing with the London authorities but
that is an expensive method. and one 10
which We should not be forced. / have
conferred with the packers and 50 far
as possible we will join issues.
Chamber of Commerce to Act.
Next Monday afternoon the executive
committee O fthe Chicago Association OF
Commerce Will consider reports on
the situation. and determine wha,
action shall be taken for importers az
well as the packers. We expect that
3he association will lay the whole mat =
Ger before the State Department with