Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-01-07
TEXAS GOVERNOR SUG'
GESTS WAY To EXPORT
COTTON
(By Associated Press.)

/
munication to United States Senator
Culberson and Sheppard, relative to
some action being taken by the Fed
eral Government which will stimulate
the movement Of cotton to the Euro
pean countries now at war, since it is
announced that both England and
France have declared that cotton is
not contrabaud of war. The governor
urges that the question be taken up
vigorously with the National Govern
ment.
Gov. Colquitt's letter follows:
United States Senate, Washington,
D. c.: Dear Sir-I take the liberty of
again writing to you concerning the
policy of the United States with refer
ence to the cotton question, and espec-
tally the shipment of cotton to the
countries now at war with one another
in Europe.
'The Texas Warehouse Department
is making dilligent investigation of the
situation, and reports to me that cot
ton is quoted in Germany at around
10 IL cents per pound, with no oppor-
tunity to purchase their wants. After
long delay in the matter, see that the
British premier has announced that
cotton is not contraband of war. The
Government of France has made a
similar announcement. l see also
from the public prints that Great
Britain and France object to ships TAX
ing cotton to Germany for fear that
they will load the empty ships with
| German products, thus stimulating and
aiding German commerce. z
81 beg the liberty of requesting that
you take up the question vigorously
with the National Government. 1t does
seem to me that our people are entitled
to energetic efforts if such efforts will
| enable us to sell our surplus of cotton
for anything like the price it is said
to be worth in Germany. 1t seems to
me that the United States could afford
to guarantee to France and England
neutrality of ships carrying our cotton
to Germany.
at is suggested to me by Hon. D. NJ
Cameron, chief clerk of the Warehouse
Division of the Department of Insur-
ance and Banking who has long been
engaged in the business and is we'll in
formed, that the president and his Sec
rotary of state take up with England
and France and the other belligerent
powers of Europe the cotton-shipping
question, with a view of securing an
understanding that ships could unload
at some Italian seaport and transport
the cotton thence by rail through
Switzerland to Germany, thus obviat-
ing the necessity of the ships taking
the cotton through the Straits of Dow
err or the North Sea, both of which are
reported to be heavily mined.
1.-THE rate on cotton via Straits Of
Dover and the North Sea is exorbitant
and ships decline to contract for the
delivery of cotton via that route, on
account of the exorbitant insurance
and the great danger of losing their
ships and cargoes.
Il beg to suggest that an under
standing and arrangement between
our government and Italy which will
allow our cotton to be shipped to the
port of Genoa, thence transported
through the northern portion of Italy
and through Switzerland, which is also
neutral, to Germany, would furnish d
market at a profitable price for 2,OO0,-
900 bales of our surplus cotton. This
matter, think, worth urging, and be-
lieve something along this line can be
accomplished if our government will
take it up vigorously. The suggestion
is respectfully submitted to you with
the request that you take ii up and
present it to the proper authorities at
Washington.