The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-08-14

II have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter dated July
II, 1915, in regard to the difficulties
being experienced in making ship
ments of cotton to Europe at this
time
There are inclosed copies of the
British order In council Of March IL
1915, and the departments reply
thereto. The British order in council
Is still the subject of diplomatic dis
cussion between this government and
the government of Great Britain.
The department keenly appre-
ciates the difficulties surrounding the
exportation OF cotton from this coun-
try and is endeavoring to do all that
1t properly can to relieve the situa-
ton.
While 1t is not possible to out
line the exact methods to be pur-
sued Ivy the department.; you may
rest assured that strong representa-
tions looking toward the protection
of the interests of this important COM
modify and those connected with 1t
are being and will be made. Further
than this assurance. the department
would not care to indicate the method
at this time.
Realizing the limitations Of the
market for cotton arising from the
war situation. the department has
from time to time called for reports
of the market for cotton in foreign
countries from its consular officers
stationed abroad, with a view to in
dicate any possible openings for cot
ton that might relieve the situation
due to the decreased expectations 10
Europe
"On July 18th also addressed th,
following letter to President Wilson:
My Dear Mr.. President:
Il fully appreciate the crisis that
Is now upon you as the head of the
nation and the grave responsibility
that rests upon you. /, therefore
hesitate even in the slightest degree
to add to your burden, and If the mat
ter was not of such vital Importance
to the South and the nation at large.
l would not do it,
~ call your attention to the atti,
tude of England I'm the matter Of cot
ton exports. 1t is now practically the
beginning Of harvest time. The new
crop will soon be coming to market.
II Is, therefore, very essential that
we have a clear understanding as to
Englands attitude In reference to
closing neutral ports and her famous
order In council OF March last.
4 cali TINS matter TO your at
Itenton because think it's gravity
demands your calling the attention o(
your cabinet and especially the Sec
retary of state to this all important
matter. l. Of course, will write him
also.
You may recall the fact that
was appointed on a committee dur
ing the last congress to investigate
this very matter. OF course, 1t is
practically impossible for this COM
mittec to do more than gather the
facts. The proper department must
take 1t up officially. This hope. will
be done at once.
May 1 hope to hear from you
at your earliest possible convenience
in reference to this matter.
THE following is President Will
sons answer to my letter:
my Dear Senator:
"I have your letter of July 14th
and would say in reply that hope
you will never hesitate TO write me
about anything you think important
no matter how busy or preoccupied
I may be.
And l want to tell you that,
though we have said very little about
1t In public, nothing has been omitted
to bring the matters you write about
very completely and in their right light
TO the attention of the government of
Great Britain. and nothing will be
omitted that can be done.
Cordially and sincerely yours.
(Signed) Woodrow Wilson,
"Of course. was greatly gratifed
to be confirmed in my belief that our
Democratic administration was TAX
Ing care of the situation. 1t is reas-
suring to have this statement frona
headquarters.
1T is also gratifying to me to see
the utterances In the press from the
federal reserve board in reference to
j the financing Of the cotton crop.
There was some disappointment in