The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-06-30

States ports since the initiation Of
the retaliatory measures against Ger
man trade, are still detained in Unit
ed ningdom ports, is 81; of this num-
ber eight are discharging cotton,
which his Majesty's government has
agreed to purchase under the above
arrangement. Of the remaining 10
vessels, seven are free to depart as
soon as the items of their cargo plac-
ed in the prize court have been dis
charged. The other y, of which
three only are American ships, are
suspicious consignments.
''S. His Majesty's government re-
main convinced that, on an impartial
review of the facts, it will be admit
ted that no arbitrary interference
with cotton cargoes occurred, while
if due regard be paid to the enor-
nous volume of American and neu-
trail shipping. which is continually
engaged in the transatlantic trade,
the figures and dates quoted in the
preceding paragraph will emphasize
the restricted nature Of any inter-
ference which has been taken place
and the close attention with which
the officials concerned have adhered
to their instructions to act in all
cases with expedition and with every
possible consideration for neutrals.
"9. Since his Majesty's govern
ment have been compelled to adopt
their present measures against Ger
man commerce they have given spe-
cial consideration to the question,
avoiding as far as possible, unneces-
sary damage to the interests of neu-
trails 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 on the 18th of March
provision is made for the investiga-
ton of all neutral claims respecting
such goods in the prize court, and it
is obvious that these claims can re-
ceive due and equitable considera-
ton most properly before a judicial
tribunal Nevertheless, in Difference
to the express desire of the United
States government, arrangements
were made toward the end of March
whereby United States citizens who
might desire to import goods of Ger
man origin via a neutral port were
enabled to produce proof of payment
to his Majesty's embassy at Wash.
ington. If such proof were deemed
satisfactory his Majesty's government
gave an undertaking that the goods
concerned should be not interfered
with in transit, and the American
importers was freed from the neces-
sity of submitting his claim to the
prize court in London fer adjudica-
tion. A few days later his Majesty
government further agreed to recog-
nize the neutral ownership of goods
Of enemy origin, even if not paid fo1
before the 1st of March, provided
they were the subject Of an f. o. b.
contract Of earlier date. and had ar
rived at a neutral port before the
18th of March.
40. Special treatment also has
been accorded to cargoeS of partlcu.
lar product destined for the United
States and stated to be indispensable
for the manufactures of that coun'
try, and in notes addressed to the
United States ambassador in Apri
and May said undertaking were given
not to interfere during transit with
certain cargoes of dyestuffs, potash
and German beet seed.
"11. When it became apparent
that large quantities Of enemy goods
were still passing out through nell
trail countries his Majesty's govern
ment felt it necessary to fix a definite
date after which such shipments must
cease to enjoy the special immunity
Heretofore granted, from liability to
being placed in the prize court. Il
had been observed that large in
crease had taken place in the number
of vessels sailing from neutral coun'
tries to America. In such circum'
stances it appeared scarcely possible
that goods of enem- origin bought
and paid for prior to the first o1
March should not have already beer
shipped to their destination. First
June was accordingly fixed as the
date after which the privilege allow
ed in the case of such shipments
should cease, but once more a specia.
favor was granted by extending the
date in exceptional cases to the 18th
of June.
"12. importers in the United
States having now had three months
in which to clear off their purchases
in enemy territory, his Majesty's gov
ernment trusts that, in presence OF
the circumstances enumerated. the
United States government will ac'
knowledge the great consideration
which has been shown to American
interests.
"l3. Nevertheless, a fresh appea.
has now been made to his Majesty s
government that shipments of Amer
lean owned goods Of enemy origin
if paid for before the beginning OF
March, should be allowed to be ship
ped without molestation after the
18th June. The appeal is based prin-
cipally upon the contentious (a) that
insufficient time already elapsed, (b)
that no mention of time limit is
made in the enactment Of the 11th
March; (c) that the proofs of owner
ship required by his Majesty's gov
ernment are of an eXacting nature
and involve much time for prepara'
ton.
"14. The first contention (a) has
already been dealt with. AS regards
(b) and (c), it is true that the enact
ment of the 18th March contains nc
mention of a time limit. But il
seems to be overlooked that the time
limit had been fixed only for the spe-
cial immunity granted as an eXcep-
ton from that enactment. 1t was as
a friendly concession to American in
terests that his Majesty's government
agreed to an investigation of claims
outside the prize court. AS for the
exacting nature of the proofs reQuir-
ed by his Majesty's government. eX-
Perience has shown that Such proofs
were necessary.
"15. In Difference, however, to the
renewed representation of the Unit
ed States ambassador, his Majesty S
government have given further direc-