The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-25


interests OF neutrals in regard to thu
1 export OF goods of German origin, ant
here again liberal concessions havs
/ been made to the United States citi
/ gems. Under the rules enacted on tbs
i1fth Of March, provision Is made for the
Investigation OF all neutral claims re.
specting such goods In the prize court
arid it Is obvious that these claims
can receive due and equitable consid-
GRAFTON most properly before a judicial
| tribunal. Nevertheless, in deferencs
/ to the express desire OF the United
States government, arrangements were
made toward the end of March. whore
by United States citizens, who might
desire to import goods OF German
origin via. neutral port, were enabled
to produce proof of payment to His
Matesty's embassy at Washington. II
such proof were deemed satisfactory,
His Majestys government gave an un-
dcrtaking that the goods concerned
should not be interfered with in tran
sit and the American importer was
freed the necessity of submitting his
claim to the prize court Interested for
adjudication. A few days later His
Majesty's government further agreed
TO recognize the neutral ownership Of
goods of enemy origin even IL not paid
for before the LIST of March, provided
they were the subject of a F. o. 3.
contract of earlier date. and had ar
rived at neutral port before the 18th
of March
10. Special treatment had also been
accorded to cargoes of particular pro-
ducts destined for the United states
and stated to be indispensable for the
industries of the country: and In notes
addressed to the United States ambassa-
dor in April and May, undertakings
were given not to interfere during tran
sit with certain eargoes of dye stuffs.
potash. and German beet seed
Necessary 90 stop Traffic.
II. When II became apparent that the
large quantities of enemy goods were
still passing out through neutral co6n-
tries His MaJesty's government felt
II necessary to fix definite date after
which such shipments must cease to
enjoy the special immunity. Heretofore
granted. from liability to being placed
in the prize court II has been observed
that large increase had taken place
In the number of vessels sailing from
neutral countries TO America and one
of the principal lines of steamships ad-
vertised daily in place of a weekly
service. In, such circumstances Ii APP
peared scarcely possible the goods OF
enemy origin bought and paid for
i
have already been shipped to their
destination June I was. accordingly,
fixed as the date after which the priv
ilege allowed in the case of such ship
ments must cease; but one more a
special favor was granted by extending
the date in exceptional BILE cases to the
18th of June.
II. Importers in the United States
having now had three months in
which to clear off their purchases in
enemy territory, His Majesty's Gov
eminent trusts that in presence of
the circumstances enumerated the
United States Government will ac-
knowledge the great consideration
which has been shown to American
interests
13, Nevertheless a fresh appeal has
now been made to His Majesty's Cow
eminent that shipments of American
owned goods of enemy origin, II paid
for before the beginning of March.
should be allowed to be shipped
without molestation after the 18th of
June, The appeal was appealed
principally upon the contentious (a)
that insufficient time has already
elapsed (b) that no mention of a
time limit is made in the enactment
of the nth Of March: tc) that the
proofs of ownership required by His
Majesty's Government are of an ex-
acting nature, and involve much time
for preparation.
IA. The first contention (a) has al
ready been dealt with. As regards
tb) and (c), il is trut that the en-
actment of the 18th March contains
no mention of a time limit. But 1t
seems to be overlook ed that the limit
had been fixed only for the special
Immunity granted as an exception
from that enactment. 1t was a friend
" concession to American interests
that His Majesty's Government agreed
TO an investigation of claims outside
the prize court AS for the exactlng
nature of the proofs required by His
Majesty's Government, experience has
shown that such proofs were neces-
sary.
Makes Further Concessions.
15. In Difference however. to the
renewed representations of the
United States Ambassador, His
Majesty's Government have given
further directions that in all such
cases as may have been specially sub
mitted through the British, Embassy
at washington, or to His Majesty's
Government direct on or before the
15th June. and passed, the goods
shall be allowed to- proceed without
ItnrGTTkTenCe. III SulppcN IIcut a hNn-
trail port on the conditions already
laid down, Notwithstanding the fact
that shipment not have been made
before the 18th June.
16. His Majesty's Government will
also be prepared hereafter to give
special consideration to cases pre-
scented TO them and involving par
ticular hardships If the goods con-
cerned are required for neutral gov
ernments or municipalities. or In re-
spect of works of public utility and
where payment can be shown to have
been made before the LIST March,
1915.
II With the above exceptions, HIS
Majesty's Government regret they
cannot continue to deal through the
diplomatic channel with individual
cases, but they would again point out
that special provision is made for the
consideration of such cases in the
prize court
Claimants Ask Delay.
IS Complaints have not infrequently
been made that undue delay occurs In
dealing with American cargoes In the
prize court An interesting comment on
this subject was made by the president
OF the prize court In the case OF the
cargo ex steamship Ogeechee on the
14th instant. His Lordship. according
to the transcript fromsthe official short
bend tvt.itersS notes. made the follow