Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-15
NEUTRAL CARGOES
HALTED BY ENGLAND
American Meat Packers Ask
State Department to Make
Representations.
DELAYS IN PRIZE COURTS
Great Britain Charged With De-
struction of Commerce in
Food Products.
DELAYS IN PRIZE COURTS

WASHINGTON, July 1i-American
meat packers appealed to the State De-
partment to-day to demand that Great
Britain stop interfering with cargoes
consigned to neutral ports and settle
for sl4,000.o0o worth of their prod
ucts now held in prize courts. They
charge the British government with
destruction of commerce in food prod
ucts between the United States and
other neutral nations
After two conferences between the
packers and Chandler Anderson. spe-
cial counselor Of the State Department.
1T was announced that the department
would make representations to Great
Britain
The packers Will discuss the difficult
ties further with Mr.. Anderson to-mor-
row. In a statement tonight outlining
their case as laid before the department.
they declare that the British govern
ment purposely delays settlement of
their claim for seized cargoes. and that
they are not inclined TO reopen trade
with neutral countries unless they can
be assured OF delivery of their ship
ments TO ports designated
TERMS SO ONEROUs AS
TO DE UNACCEPTABLE
"As reported to the packers by their
representative In England. Alfred r.
Urion," says the statement, the latest
terms for the release Of the cargoes
as laid down by Great Britain are held
to be so onerous as TO be Unacceptable.
''ln brief. these latest terms are:
That the packers guarantee Great
Britain against claims arising out OF
the detention Of ships
Britain against claims of buyers who
bought and paid for large quantities
of products seized.
The packers assert that this latest
move by Great Britain is only another
step to delay a settlement OF the prob
lem, and that there appears to be absent
the sincere desire TO settle the contro-
versy"
In their conference with Mr.. Ander-
son. the packers were insistent that the
American government should take firm
action. and their statement says of this
phase of the subject:
The packers assert that the attack
Of Great Britain seemed incredible, In
view OF the many adjustments they have
made to meet the English government
in its demands. They take the position
of being entitled TO full compensation
for their goods, and declare that as
American citizens, they should he af-
forded protection by the United States
and that this government should take
determined stand TO protect their
rights to ship TO neutral countries"
LAYS PARTICULAR STRESS
UPON CASES OF FIVE CARGOEs
The statement lays particular stress
upon the cases Of five cargoes shipped
before November % last in neutral
steamers for Copenhagen and seized on
the high seas on the ground that they
presumably were ultimatcl: destined
for Germany. These cases, postponed
from time to time, are set to come up
in the prize court again tomorrow.
The packers maintain that the goods
had been sold at neutral ports before
shipment, or where the goods had not
been so sold, then to the consignors'
agents for sale by them to bona f,de
neutral purchasers at such neutral
ports"
The packers call attention to a state.
ment made by Premier Asquith in the
House OF Commons on March l last;
That vessels with cargoes which have
sailed before the date of this notifica
tion torder in council) will not be af-
fected." The statement continues:
Shortly after the beginning Of the
war the British ambassador at Wash
ington assured the United States gov
ernment that Great Britain would not
interfere with the trade In foodstuffs
between neutrals. With this in mind
| the packers say they were justified
in making their shipments to neutral
ports in neutral ships. After numer.
Gus conferences. the prize court au.
thorities definitely refused to release
the goods except upon tn, terms OF
| the packers selling the goods in Great
Britain and to give English bail tc
the full value of the seized cargoes
Inasmuch as the cargoes consisted
mainly of fats. oils and pig products
of fat and heavy texture adapted &c
colder countries than England, the
packers declare it was impossible tc
sell the cargoes. and rejected the
proposition"
Representatives Of the packers who
are here comforting at the State De.
partment are: Thomas e. Wilson
president OF Morris & Co.; Gustayus
F. Swift Swift & Co.: Arthur Meeker
vice president Armour & Co., and
counselors Of these firms.
ON TRAIL OF VERNON CASTLE