Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-26
SWITCH
ON PACKERS CASE
AGREE NOT TO INTERFERE WITH
NEUTRAL SHIPMENTS OF.
MEATS.
AMBASSADOR FoREsrALLs
DRASTIC ACTION ~ U. s.
to Necessity Of Changing Front
Washington Planned Resort to Strong
Measures in Retaliation - Packers
Agree to Accept Assurances Of Relief.

Washington, May 26.-Ambassador
Page cabled Secretary Bryan today
that Sir Edward Gray had given assur-
ances that prize court decisions in four
of the American meat cargoes destined
to European neutrals, but held within
British ports. would proceed without
delay on June Z. Sir Edward Gray re-
quested that counsel for the packers
would be present. Alfred Urion. their
general counsel, is preparing to sail
Saturday. Secretary Bryan in making
public the announcement today, said it
was the result of negotiations between
Mr.. Urion and Arthur Meeker, of
Armour & Co., and British embassy Of
ficials.
other cargoes continued here today.
Washington, May 26.-The admins
tration gave over yesterday to consid-
Grafton of steps to induce Great Britain
to moderate it's interference with
American neutral trade.
After conference with the delegation
of Chicago packers. headed by Arthur
Meeker and Alfred R. Urion Of Ar
mour & Co., the state department an
nounced that it would instruct Am
bassador Page at London to press for
an immediate disposition by the prize
court OF the cases involving meat car
goes detained since last November, but
this course subsequently was altered
at the request Of the packers when the
British embassy took the matter in
hand
With Mr.. Urion as their spokesman.
the packers conferred with Solicitor
Cone Johnson and his special adviser,
Chandler Anderson, for three hours
yesterday forenoon.
British Change Of Front.
While the conference was in prog
ress there developed indications Of the
eleventh hour awakening of the British
government to the necessity of modify
ing its policy and averting the adoption
of stronger measures by the United
States to protect it's shippers.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British
ambassador, appeared at the depart
ment and called Mr.. Anderson from the
conferences. AS the result of their talk
the packers We're invited to present
their grievances to the British en-
bassy.
Mr.. Urion and Mr.. Meeker then spent
the greater part of the afternoon at
the embassy discussing their COM
plants with the ambassador. The
source of Sir Cecil's sudden interest in
the matter was not disclosed but it
is supposed he acted upon orders from
London.
AS result of the talk with the pack
ers the ambassador undertook to sub
nit the matter directly to his govern
ment tonight by cable. He expects a
reply tomorrow. If it is favorable the
packers will be assured of speedy
trial of the prize court case involving
the four big cargoes.
Packers Hold Up Drastic Action.
Mr.. Urion returned to the state de-
partment and reported that if the ef-
forts of the British ambassador proved
successful 1t would not be necessary
for Ambassador Page to press an early
trial of the case in London.
Secretary Bryan said that 1t would
be preferable to adjust the matter thru
the British embassy if possible, but
that as last resort the department
would make representations to the
British government direct.
The Armour counsel submitted
voluminous documentary evidence OF
the innocent character OF the cargoes
of meats which are being detained in
English ports in the conference at the
state department. Mr.. Urion described
at length the methods Of seizure and
detention adopted by the British and
f11f
position of the cases by the authori-
ties before and after the committal Of
the cargoes to the prize court.
Mr.. Urion and Mr.. Meeker are re-
naming here to conclude the negotia-
tons, and the attorney will sail for
London on Saturday. The other repre-
sentatives of the packers returned to
Chicago tonight.