The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-04
BRITISH ADOPT
PLAN OF U.S.T0
AID SHIPPERS
COnsul-General Skinner's
suggestion Will Put
End to Losses.
BONA FIDE EXPORTS
ASSURED OF SAFETY
special Cobie Despatch to TRv Sus

special Co6ie Despatch to Tar SuS
LONDON, March 3.--l.ord Robert Cecil.
Minister OF Blockade. told the corre-
spondent OF THE SuS to-day that the
Government had adopted the suggestion
Of Consui-C'eneral Skinner in the for
mutation Of a plan whereby American
shippers may he assured that bona fide
shipments to neutral countries will safely
pass the blockade. The exact machinery
has not yet been decided upon, and 1t
will ba left to the British embassy at
Washington to- devise the modus oper-
and,.
Lord Cecil. in = frank talk. insisted on
designating the plan as the skinner
scheme" expressing the sincere thanks
Of his Government to Mr.. Skinner for
evolving methods which. when they are
in working order, Lord cecil Is confident.
will relieve the irritation OF American
shippers dealing In exports genuinely
destined for neutrals.
He said that Consul-General skinner
had pointed out that the British shipper
could obtain Information beforehand as
to whether his shipment would be al
lowed to pass ov not, while the tmeri-
can shipper lacked this advantage.
Therefore the American shipper fire.
rangements only TO have his shipments
stopped and perhaps sent to the prize
court. The hardship that this involved
among small shippers WAS evident and
Mr. Skinner's criticism, Lord Robert
Cecil said was eninently Just.
Relief ~ shippers.
Asked II the information TO he given
| BY shippers would constitute guar.
A tnS
| be allowed TO pass the blockade. the
Minister OF Blockade said:
! 81 do nc, desire to go as far as tc
! say that. because after a ship has sailed
/ the Government might obtain reliable
/ evidence that the shipment actually was
II, intended for Germany. Therefore vi
mus, retain the right to stop such ship
men,s. But 1t may I've taken as tru'
IL we say that certain shipment vii
be permitted TO proceed that II viii
be unless there Is evidence OF tricker,
Ia the transaction. I am confden
that the scheme will benefit homes
traders and that II will not help trick
sters.
THE plan. 1, must be understood. i
not an arrangement between the Brit
ish and American Governments. but he
tween The British Government An
American traders Moreover. Il Is #
7
to continue the old method. runnin
their chances. are al liberty to do 50.
When asked whether any changes Il
the contra band list are impending IN
Minister answered:
THE only thing about this that
can say at present Ia that We are con
sidcring the contraband list to see II
l. adequate"
Blockade Answer Soon.
lie added that the answer to IN
American note on the blockade va
practically ready and that its prescnta
tion TO the Washington Governinei
f.. would be "A matter OF only few days
3 ~ am convinced.' he said. that III
economic pressure which England II .,
erting on Germany II having tr'
mendous effect. The fall of the mark
: the best barometer. Evidence IL clea
that the Germans are beginning to Az
: the war less desirable than they In
I agined at the beginning Of the conflict
with reference TO his duties in h
: new office. Lord Robert Cecil said tn;
these were simply to coordinate whi
hitherto had been uncoordinat.d wor
He expressed the hope that one resu
would be less trouble and irriiati'
\ among neutrals regarding the effect!y
!, ness Of the blockade. The blockade,
said, was stopping fair amount
goods destined for the enemy. but tn
this amount was decreasing, a. I;
fewer attempts We're being made to r,
the blockade than formerly.
RevertinE to the skinner plan"
expressed the sincere hope that Ill
would prove satisfactory and workab
I'VE have had more experience now
he said. "Besides. We know more abo
:. particular consignors and consignees
r The correspondent OF THE Sun u
>. derstands that the new scheme will II
~ supersede the Netherlands Overse
" Trust arrangement with Holland. b
In vili appiy to other neutral countries.