Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-27
IMPORTERS STATE
CASE TO LANSING
Millions Of Dollars Worth Of Goods
Ordered Last Year, and Already
Sold, Held Up by Britens.
LAW OF THE SEA IS CITED

WASHINGTON. June 26.-Repre-
sentatives Of 1000 American i'm
porters presented to Secretary Lam
sing today a petition for action by
the United States TO enable them to
bring out dye stuffs, potash and
other American owned goods in Ger
many without British interference.
Twenty importers, headed by Lee
Kohns of New York, comprised the
delegation. Secretary Lansing called
into the conference Solicitor Johnson
and Robert F. Rose. one of the for
eign trade advisers OF the depart
ment.
The importers recited the arrangements
originally made informally by them with
Great Britain for shipment Of American
owned goods from Germany through
neutral countries on contracts made
prior to tho order-in-council OF March l;
the difficulties over an extension OF time
for shipment Of such cargoes. and the
general business effects OF the British
policy.
Secretary Lansing took the matter un-
der consideration and Il IL generally be-
lleved Il will be presented 20 Great
Britain apart from the broad subject OF
the so.called blockade" which IL
treated in new note that has been
under preparation for some time
Petition pf Importers.
NEW YORK. Jdne 2s-The importers
petition, which Is addressed 10 President
Wilson. was made public here. II sets
forth that the British blockade concerns
mot only the property rights OF the
undersigned citizens" but involves a
contemplated unlawful destruction Of a
most important portion of the entire
CONNIE = Of the United States" The pc
tition discusses issues of international
law and urges upon the president the
need for a very early determination OF
these issues 60 that we may know
whether we may be able 10 conduct our
established business"
Great Britain" the petition says, has
studlously avoided answering the Amcri-
can note OF March 20, and months OF val
liable time In which It wac necessary for
us to prepare for our coming business
have passed"
Notwithstanding that this action OF
the Great Britain government does not
follow from any declared and main
tanned blockade OF German territory"
tho petition says. I'VE have been unable
70 induce any steamship companies 20
carry our goods. American property
either from unblockaded German ports
or from neutral ports. 10 which the goods
have been shipped by land. The mere
fact that Great Britain does not threaten
confiscation OF our goods. IL they are
shipped does not concern us, because. first
we cannot set them shipped, and sec
ondly. we are interested In the much
greater question OF lawfully obtaining
supply OF our American owned mer-
chandise. whether the same has been
paid for. contracted. or may be con-
traeted for in the future.
We are not compensated by a payment
for particular cargo after legal pro-
eeedings In the British courts, for We
ere concerned In preventing a sacrifice
" American capital.
Contracts Placed Last Year.
During 1915 ana the early part OF this
year we placed large contracts for mer-
chandise 10 be manufactured by German
and Austrian concerns We have obli-
gated ourselves to take this merchandise
ana now that considerable portion OF
Tor shipment the manufacturers are
demanding payment. We are I'm the
quandary OF having 20 pay for our mer-
chaGise and at the same time being un-
able 70 Fct our merchandise In addition
we have sold much OF this merchandise
20 American business houses to whom we
are responsible Cor delivery.
The concession OF the British SOW
eminent that we may receive goods that
were paid for prior to March ], Il Of
no value 10 us, The iudersigned arc re-
sponslbie American houses enjoylng good
credit and do not have TO pay for theiI
MERCHANDISE before II n delivered"
with all Difference TO your exeellency.'
the document continues, who we know
has at heart the protection OF American
commerce. we respectfully call attention
20 the urgency OF the situation ami thu
pressing necessity OF our knowing yer,
soon whether We shall be able to oonduo
our lawful business under the protection
OF well-established principles Of Law
which have been 90 ably and aptl,
pointed out by the state department II
It's diplomatic relations with 0rea
britain We maintain tina
when q Swedish merchant can ship to
German port, we also as citizens OF thi
country have the same right and tina
these facts convineingiy prove that Their
is no effective blockade OF nearly tho en-
tire German coast
The importers appeal TO tae president
not only on the ground that their ow1
business would be injured. but on TN
giound that THE only prospect for Teac
IA an inaistence on those unQuest ionef
guarantees which have been won from
the belligerent powers under the leader
ship Of these free United states OF Amer
sea We respectfully ask your excellence
to firmly insist that the illsgitimats pre-
tenuons OF the warning countries do no
extend beyond those exceptions siread
ersrsfted upon the principles Of intsrna
tional law"