Evening star., 1915-06-25
ENGLAND IN FUTURE TO SEIZE
ALL CARGOES FROM GERMANY
Closes Diplomatic Channel, and Prize
Court Will Deal With All Commerce
From Enemy Countries.

review of the facts, it will be admitted
that no arbitrary interference with
American interests has. in regard tc
cotton cargoes. occurred: while II Que
regard be paid to the enormous volume
OF american and neutral shipping "nlcn
is continually engaged in the trans
atlantic trade. the figures and dates
quoted in the preceding paragraph VIII
emphas size the restricted nature OF any
I interference which has taken place and
the close attention with which the Off
Gals concerned have adhered to their
instructions to act in all cases with ex-
peuitlon and with every possible con-
sideration for neutrals.
y. Since his majestyS government
nave been compelled to adopt their pres
ent measures against German COM
Inerce theY have given special considera-
ton to the question of avoiding. far
as possible. unnecessary damage to the
interests of neutrals in regard TO the
export of goods of German origin, and
here again liberal concessions have
been made to United States citizens.
Under the rules enacted March II
provision is made for the investigati ton
OF all neutral claims respecting such
goods in the prize court. and it is
OBVIOUS that these claims can receive
due and equitable consideration most
properly before a judicial tribunal.
Nevertheless. in difference to the ex-
press desire of the United States gov
9on,aed'' towned "a arrangements were made
united States citizens who might de-
sire to import goods of German origin
VIA neutral port were enabled to pro-
duce proof of payment to his majesty s
embassy at Washington.
II SUCH proof were deemed satlS-
factory. his majesty's government gave
an undertaking that the goods con-
cerned should not be interfered with in
transit. and the American importer was
freed from the necessity of submitting
his claim to the prize court in London
for adjudication. few days later MS
ma1estys government further agreed TO
recognize the neutral ownership OF
goods of enemy origin, even If not paid
the subject of an t. o. b. contract OF
earlier date and had arrived at a neu-
trail port before March Is.
United States Cargoes Favored.
40. Special treatment has also been
accorded to cargoes of particular prod
ucts destined for the United States, and
stated to be indispensable for the in
dustries of the country; and, in notes
addressed to the United States am
bassador in April and May. undertake
ings were given not to interfere during
transit with certain cargoes of dye
Stuffs, potash and German beet seed.
I'll. When it became apparent that
large quantities of enemy goods were
still passing out through neutral coun-
tries. his majesty's government felt it
necessary to fix a definite date after
which such shipments must cease to
enjoy the special immunity, thereto
fore granted. from liability to being
placed in the prize court.
TT had been observed that a large
increase had taken place in the number
of vessels sailing from neutral coun-
tries to America, and one of the prin-
cipal lines of steamships advertised
daily in place of a weekly service. In
such circumstances 1T appeared scarce
ly possible that goods of enemy origin,
bought and paid for prior to March !.
should not have already been shipped
to their destination.
First June was accordingly fixed as
the date after which the privilege al
lowed In the case of such shipments
should cease: but once more special
favor was granted by extending the
date in exceptional cases to Is June.
Too Much Enemy Goods.
"12. Importers In the United States
having now had three months in which
to clear of their purchases in enemy
territory, his 'majesty's government
trusts that, in presence of the circum-
stances enumerated, the United States
government Will dChHo" "Acu6S lhC 81 cot
consideration which has been shown to
American interests
"'13. Nevertheless, a fresh appeal
has now been made to his majesty 8
government that shipments Of Ameri-
can-owned goods of enemy origin, II
paid for before the beginning Of March.
should be allowed to be shipped with
out molestation after the 18th of June.
The appeal is based principally upon
the contentious (a) that insufficient
time has already elapsed: CD that no
mention Of a time limit is made in
the enactment of the 11th OF March; f.;
(c) that the proofs of ownership re-
quired by his majesty's government are
of an exacting nature and involve much
time for preparation.
"14 The first contention (a) has al
ready been dealt with. AS regards OBJ
and (c) 1t is true that the enactment
of the 11th of March contains no men
ton of time limit.
But 1t seems to be overlooked that
the time limit had been fixed only for
ception from that enactment 1t was
as friendly concession to American
interests that his majesty's govern
ment agreed to an investigation of
claims outside the prize court. AS for
the exacting nature OF the proofs re-
quired by his majesty's government,
experience has shown that such proofs
were necessary.
... Some Concessions Offered.
"15 In Difference, however. to the
renewed representations of the United