Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-23
SHIP WITH FOOD CARGO
SAILS FOR GERMAN PORT
SHIPPERS Assert That Supplies Are
Meant Only for Consumption
by Civilians.
CONSIGNED TO AN AMERICAN
II vessel Is Seized, Consignors Will
File Protest With State Depart
ment, Claiming That Allies Are
Not Within Their Rights.

| NEW YORK. January 22.-Rislsing
possible seizure by British warsh!ps,
the American steamer Will
heiinina. flying the American flag. and
loaded with approximately 5000. 900
| WoIth OF foodstuffs consigned by an
american commission firm to an Ameri-
can citizen In Germany. passed out to
sea tonight.
| This is the first food carrying Ameri-
can ship to leave an American port
TOT Germany since the war began. II
she is seized. her consignors, the w. L.
Green Commission Company of ST.
Louis Will file protest with the State
department, according to local attor-
heys or the company. claiming the al
lies are not within their rights under
international law in preventing shin
| ment OF conditional contraband to non
combatants in country at war with
the allies
In order to controvert in advance a
possible claim that the Wilhelmina's
cargo Is intended for use by the Ger
| man government or it's naval or mill
tary forces. or by agents or contractors
which supply that government with
foodstuns, the cargo is consigned to an
American citizen, who will be In HAM
escapes seizure Furthermore, the con-
signors and the German government
guarantee. according to the attorneys
that tho cargo is intended for consump-
ton by noncombatants only.
w. T. Brooking, representing St
Louis shippers. who have chartered the
Wilhelmina. plans to sail on Saturday
for Rotterdam. and then Will 20 to
hamburg. 1t is to him that the VIII
helmina's cargo has been consigned
FOR disposal to the civil population, ac-
cording to counsel here for the ST
Louis company.
The cargo consists of 900. 900 pound.
OF wheat, $4,000 OF corn and 45o. 600
or bran and lard. beef. pork, hams
picked tongue, dried fruit. peas. beans
and oats
Before deciding TO risk the cargo
on the high seas. its owners, accord
Ing to NJ r. Lindhein Of their COUNSEL
consulted tho State Department. On
January letter was sent to Score
tary bryan, which contained this
clause:
Please advise us in wha, position
we would stand. so far as your depart.
ineht is concerned. II we negotiate sales
, OF wheat cargocs TO German buyer,
In American vessels, furnishing a Cunr
antee by the German government that
the grain Is not for military usages, In
any way, shape or form"
The letter concluded:
we certainly hope that our govern
ment will take firm stand for the
protection of American shipping, az II
WORKS a very great hardship on this
country TO allow England to dictate as
/ 10 where we can do business, and under
what terms and conditions"
| Secretary Bryan replied, MIR. Lind
helm said. as follows:
! Foodstuffs are ranked as conditional
! contraband, and may be lawfully
shipped TO territory Of hellieerents
when. in fact. not destined or intended
as supplies for the belligcrent govern
rnent or its armed forces"
Mr.. Lindheim said Secretary BRYAN
added word TO the effect that he could
not outline what course the state Do
partment would pursue In the event OF
seizure of such cargo sh..ped under
the conditions described in the com.
pany's letter to him
II the Wilhelmina Is seized. Mr. Lind
hcin explained to-day the commission
company will ask tina. representations
lie made by the American eoverDuen,