Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-11

Belgium. Austria. Germany. Holland
and Italy). Tho corresponding figures
under this heading are as follows:
Nineteen thirteen. 7.271,o00 pounds;
1914, 35.347,o0o pounds.
with such figures tho presumption Ia
very strong that tho bulk OF copper
constgned to these countries has re-
Gently been intended. not for their own
use. but for that OF belligerent who
cannot import II direct. 1t Is, therefore.
an Imperative necessity for tho safety
or this country, while 1t is at war that
His Majesty's government should do all
IN their power to stop such part of this
import OF copper as Ia not genuinely
destined for neutral countries.
Your Excelloncy does not quote any
particular shipment Of copper to Sweden
which has been detained. There are,
however. four consignments to Sweden
at the present time of copper and alum
mum, which, though definitely con-
signed to Sweden, are. according to
positive evidence In the possession Of
His Majesty's government, definitely
destined for Germany.
HARD TO QUESTION
PROPRIETY OF ACTION
IT cannot believe that, with such fig
ures before them, and In such cases
as those just mentioned, the govern
ment OF the United States would ques-
tton tho propriety Of tho action of His
Matestys government in taking sus-
pected cargoes to prize court, and we
are convinced that Ii cannot be In ac-
cord with the wish either of the govern
ment or of the people OF the United
States to strain the International code
In favor OF private interests 80 as to
prevent Great Britain from taking such
legitimate means for this purpose as
are in her power.
With regard to the seizure of food
stuffs to which Your Excellency refers.
His Matesty's government are prepared
to admit that foodstuffs should not be
detained and put into a prize court
without presumption that they are in
tended for the armed forces OF the
| enemy or the enemy government We
believe that this rule has been adhered
| to In practice hitherto. but If the
| United States government have in
I stances TO the contrary, we are pre-
pared to examine them. and II Is our
| present Intention to adhere to tho rule,
although we cannot give an unlimited
and unconditional undertaking in view
! of the departure by those against whom
we arc lighting from hitherto accepted
| rules of civilization and humanity and
tho uncertainty as to the extent to
| which rules may be violated by them In
| future.
From the 4th OF August last to the
| Sd of January the number OF steam
ships proceeding from tho United States
| for Holland, Denmark Norway, Swe-
den and Italy has been 773. OF these
| there are forty-fve which have Ind
| consignments or cargoes placed In the
| prize court, while OF the ships them
selves, only eight have been placed in
the prize court. and one OF these has
| since been released. 1t Is, however
essential under modern conditions. that
| where there is real ground for suspect
4 IN In nd hn
, sells should be brought into port for
| examination: In no other way can the
right OF search be exercised, and but
for this practice 1t would have to be
completely abandoned.
SHIPMENT OF RUBBER
| FROM UNITED STATES
Information was received by us that
special instructions had been given to
ship rubber from the United States
under another destination to escape
! notice. and such cases have occurred
! In several instances. Only by search
In port can such cases. when suspect
| ed, be discovered and proved. The
necessity for examination in n port
| may also BIO illustrated by hypotheti-
cal instance. connected with cotton
which has not yet occurred. Cotton
Is not specifically mentioned in Your
Excellencys note, but have seen pub
| lie statements made in the United States
! that the attitude OF His AIajesty's gov
| eminent with regard to cotton has
been ambiguous and thereby respon-
sible for depression in the cotton trade
| There has never been any foundation
for this allegation. His NIajesty's gov
eminent have never put cotton on the
| list OF contraband; they have through
out the war kept II on the free list;
| and. on every occasion when questioned
| on the point they have stated their
| Intention OF adhering to this practice.
But information has reached us that,
| precisely because we have declared our
Intention OF not interfering with cot
ton, ships carrying cotton will be
| specially selected to carry concealed
| contraband; and we have been warned
! that copper will be concealed In bales
of cotton. Whatever suspicious we have
mi ert q 1 u ed h. p,