The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-08-26
EMPLOYEES DELIVER AN III TINA TDNl
: AND COUNTER PROPOSAL FRAMED
AFTER
DRASTIC ACTION IN
SHIPPING RESOLUTION

Saec.al Dispatch = the Intelii@ert=r.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Aug. 25-ln
RESPONSE to hundreds Of complaints
from Wheeling and other points n
West Virginia. Congressman at '!aFSe
Howard Sutherland called at the State
and OitiCe departments to see "hat'
further action the government has
taken against the British Government
looking towarS 4 cessation OF inter
terence with mails intended for Ger.
many. Austria and the other Central
Powers now AT war Beyond tindlng
out that the United States has not
followed up its note or protest 10
Great Britain Mr.. Sutherland recelV.
ed but little information or assurance
that British Government would dis
continue its policy OF overhaulinE ne
mails on board neutral vessels bound
for destinations il Germany. Austria
or elsewhere.
Nr. Sutherland declared today that
in some mysterious manner Great
Britain has apparently forced all nell
trail vessels bound for neutral ports
10 stop at some English port where
the mails are open and censored by
British Officials and that in many m
stances letters have tafled 10 reacn
their destination. The British Gov
ernment claims that the United States
established the precedent during the
Civil War by stopping shipments and
mails from Great Britain 10 British
possessions south of the United States
which the Government feared were
intended TO be unloaded later at
Southern ports.
Made Other Inquiries.
Mr.. Sutherland also inquired at the
State Department today as 10 what
vas being done in reference 10 the IN
reference OF Great Britain and the
Allied powers with the commerce OF
the United States TO South American
because Of the British black list
owners Of American vessels feared 10
carry goods consigned to South Amer
lean ports.
Following his visit 10 the State De-
partnlent, Nj. Sutherland prepared d
resolution which ne introduced IN the
House. providing that hereafter when
the owners of any American vessel
declined 70 receive American Mer-
chandise bound for neutral ports. en-
cept in cases where the cargo IS al
ready arranged for. that the Presi-
dent be empowered to direct collect
CTS OF customs at United states ports
70 refuse clearance papers during the
lean vessels, and if said vessel sails
without the necessary clearance pa
pers, that the owners thereof be SUP
jected 10 = fine of not less than S.
900 or more than $4,000. or inprison-
Uent for not more than TWO years
Vessels Held Up.
Mr.. Sutherland in commenting upon
the resolution pointed out that at the
present time an American vessel was
detained and practically interned by
the British government at the Ber.
muda islands By being refused coal
because of consignment of Ameri'
can goods carried TO conslgnee in
neutral country whose nanle appears
on the British blacklist.
1T is evidently the intention of the
British government" said Mr.. Suther-
land. TO stop shipments of freight
destined to blacklisted concerns BY
denying coal to such vessels at all
British ports. Ny resolution. | think,
will in a measure correct this evil.
which is seriously hampering the for
eign commerce of the United States"