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

interference whom such interference Is.
not with bona fde' trade between tho
United States and another neutral
country. but with TRADE In contraband
destined for tho enemy's country. and
we arc ready. whenever our action
may unintentionally exceed this prin-
ciple. to mako redress.
we think that much misconception
exists as to the oXtent to which we
have In practice. interfered with trade.
Your Excellcncy's note seems to hold
HIS Matesty's government responsible
for tho present condition Of trade with
neutral countries. and It Is stated that
through the action of His Majesty.s
government. the products of tho great
industries of the United States have
been denied established markets In
european countries. which, though
neutral. are contiguous to the seat of
war. Such result Is far from being
the intention OF His Majesty's govern
mont. and they would exceedingly re-
greet that 1t should be duo to their
action.
FIGURES ON TRADE
FOR MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Il have been unable to obtain COM
plete or conclusive figures showing
what the state OF trade with these neu
trail countries has been recently, and I
can. therefore. only ask that some fur
Their consideration should be given to
the questio1 whether United States
trade with these neutral countries has
been so seriously affected The only
figuros az to the total volume of trade
that 1 have seen are those for the ex-
ports from New York for the month of
November, 1914. and they are as fol-
lows. compared with the month of No
vember. 1913:
Exports from New York for Novem-
Der. 1913. and November, 1914, respec-
lively:
Denmark. s55s.ooo 57.1o1 .ooo
Sweden, $4,000; $2.S5S,0O0
Norway. $4,000; s2,31S.ooo.
ITALY. s2,971,oOo: s4.7s1,o0o.
Holland, s4.3S9.00o; $3,s60.000.
1t Is true that there may have been
falling off in cotton exports, as to
which New York figures would be no
guide. but His Majesty's government
nave been most careful not to interfere
with cotton. and it's place on the free
iist has been scrupulously maintained.
NO GREAT STRESS UPON
INCOMPLETE STATISTICS
we do not wish to lay too much
stress upon incomplete statistics. The
figures above arc not put forward as
conclusive; and we are prepared to ex-
anime any further evidence with re-
gard to the state OF trade with these
neutral countries which may point to
different conclusion or show that II
Is tho action OF His NIajesty's govern
ment In particular. and not the exist
ence or state Of war and consequent
diminutton of purchasing power and
shrinkage OF trade, which Is responsible
for adverse effects on trade with the
neutral countries
That the existence OF a state of war
on such a scale has had a very adverse
effect upon certain great industries,
such as cotton, is obvious: but It Ia
submitted that this is due to the gen
eral cause OF diminished purcha sins
power or such countries AZ France. Ger
many and the United Kingdom, rather
than to interference with trade with
neutral countries. In the matter of
cotton. 1t may be recalled that the Brit
ish government gave special assistance
through the Liverpool Cotton Exchange
to the renewal OF transactions in the
cotton trade OF not only the United
Kingdom, but OF many neutral coun-
tries.
SPECIAL REFERENCE
TO COPPER DETENTION
Your Excellency's note refers in
particular to the detention OF conner.
The figures taken from Official returns
from the export OF copper from the
United States for Italy for the months
during which the war has been in prog
rcss up TO tho end OF the first three
weeks OF December are as follows:
Nineteen thirteen. I5,202, 900 pounds:
1914. 36.2S5.o00 pounds. Norway,
Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland are
not shown separately for tho whole
period In the United States returns, but
are included In the heading Other
Europe Chat Is, Europe other than
the United Kingdom. Russia, France.