Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-25
COPPER COMPANIES
PREPARE PROTESTS
AGAINST SEIZURES
81 Cargoes, Worth $780,
600, Retained by England.
John Bassett Moore Re-
tanned to Push Case.

NEW YORK, Jan. 25.-Experts in in
ternatlonal law who are familiar with
the attempts of the American copper in
terests to obtain from Great Britain the
release of more than 100000 worth of
American copper now interned at various
European ports by the British Admiralty,
believe that a crisis is rapidly approach
ing, and that the long controversy must
soon be settled. John Bassett Moore.
formerly counselor to the Department of
State, the foremost American authority
on international and admiralty law, has
been retained by Ave OF the largest cop
per companies to push a series OF
charges now before the state Depart
ment that Great Britain Is deliberately
throttling the American copper industry,
which, the companies say, amounts to
more than S1O7oOO,OOO a year.
The companies participating in the ac
tion are the American Smelling and Re-
fnlnE Company, The United Metals Sell
ing Company, The American Metal Com
pany, l.. Vogelstein & Co., and The Nor
folk Smelling and Refining Company
They have drawn UP series of IL specific
charges which set forth:
81 SHIPMENTS SEIZED.
First. Since the outbreak OF the war and
until the first of the year, 81 shipments
of American copper consigned to neutral
Continental ports of Europe, amounting
to 1889 tons and valued at s5.5OO,0OO, have
been seized by Great Britain. 1900 tons be-
ing held at Gibraltar. The rest was in
tended for Holland and the Scandinavian
ports.
standardization owners consented to
sell and did sell the British Government
four small lots of copper at LOGS of
$4,000 because of forced sale.
Third.-That~in the face of many pro.
tests, Secretary Bryan has not obtained
the release of vessel.
Fourth-In every case the State De-
partment has been supplied with full
data.
Fifth.-America annually exports 1850
tons of copper, at value Of $40, $50 'oOo'
and thei British Admiralty will permit
shipments to the neutral countries only
through British agent.
Sixth. That the regulations imposed by
| the British Government have enabled o
| small group of British agents to dominate
| all Americas foreign copper markets and
| that this group is leyying a toll OF I pei
1 cent. On eNSEy lOh SApOlNcu AAOlil tAAiS
| country.
Seventh. Through complying with the
| regulations OF the British Government
| exporters are unable to ship copper tc
neutrals. although those Governments
have prohibited the re-exportation of the
metal.
Eighth. Shipments of copper, At only
for being converted into copper sulphats
for spraying grape vines, have not been
allowed to reach Italy, though shipped
| direct to that country.
Ninth. This material is permitted to
move freely, If British agents are per-
mitted TO handle it.
Tenth. British agents are taking toll
of s1.1O ton on all copper embargoed by
| Great Britain.
UNITED STATES COPPER INDUSTRY
HARD HIT.
Eleventh The copper production in this
country has been reduced by 30 per cent,
and more than a million persons have
been thereby seriously affected, many
being deprived of means of livelihood.
Twelfth. That the contention by Great
Britain that the increased shipments of
American copper to neutral countries
since the outbreak of the war means that
Germany is getting this copper, is based
on the fiimsiest reasons, but that the
fact Is that the neutral countries are
using this copper to manufacture articles
formerly made only In Germany.
Thirteen That Great Britain is permit
ting large shipments OF her own coal to
these same neutrals and that coal is con-
traband.
Fourteen That the result OF the Ad-
mralty regulations has been to make
cargo bottom rates prohibitive and to
reduce the trade In non-contraband
metals between American ports and
Sweden.
Senator Walsh, OF Montana-the sec
ond largest State in point OF copper pro-
duction-in a speech in the Senate, when
referring to the same question. declared
that Premier Asquith in Parliament No
vember II last expressed the opinion that
the Increase in the exports of coal from
Great Britain to Scandinavian countries
was not so much due. and indeed was
mot due at ALL" to their "being ultimately
destined to Germany as to the fact that
these countries were deprived for the
time being Of the supplies they have been
accustomed to receive from the enemy
country"