The New York herald., 1922-09-02
DENIES IMPROPER
CONDUCT BY CONSULS
Washington Expects Officials
to Show Zeal for Amer
lean Ships.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
usriuUf0r n Sent I (

Special Dispatch to THE Nrw YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. Sept l.
Improper conduct charged by the Brit
ish Government against American Consul
Slater and Vice-Consul Brooks who were
stationed at Newcastle and whose exequa-
turs were cancelled, Is not substantiated
by the investigation so far conducted by
the United States Government Nothing
In the evidence so far available indicates
that they were guilty OF using undue in
fluence to secure passenger traffic for
American ships. or showed anything
beyond the zeal which this country ex-
poets and has right to expect from its
representatives.
Unless such evidence Is Forthcoming,
This Government. 1t was indicated will
feel that the action OF the British au-
thorities was. to say the least. some
what hasty and discriminatory
1t was pointed out that Consul Slater
and Vice-Consul Brooks were not dis
ciplned. they having been merely trans
ferred to new posts at Corunna. Spain.
and Dresden, Germany, respectively.
The Consulate at Newcastle will re-
main closed pending the completion OF
the investigation.
LONDON, Sept 1.-The British Gov
ernment six weeks ago advised the
American Government 1t had proof OF
abuse by Consul Slater and vice-Consul
Brooks at Newcastle OF their positions
and that it had decided reluctantly to
withdraw their papers. The American
Governments reply was that 1t did not
consider any of the allegations substan-
tiated. The British officials cited sew
eral instances OF alleged discrimination
BY the two consular officials against
British shipping lines TO support the
British Governments action.
One British traveller in a sworn state
ment, the note sets forth. applied to
Vice. Consul Brooks for a visa to go to
the United States In order to visit his
brother. Mr. Brooks. according to tho
statement, expressed doubt as &c
whether that was the applicants real
purpose and demanded letter OF rec
ommendation. The prospective travele:
secured the letter and presented 1t to
the Vice-Consul
After some remarks about the SUI
periority e the American liners Mr..
Brooks Is alleged in the statement to
have said: You seem decent sort
of chap. and / will wise your passport
upon condition that you go by the United
States Lines N
The traveller, he alleges. then went to
Professionally engaged accommodation.
and the Vice Consul gave him the visa.
NEWCASTLE ON TYNE, Sept. 1 CAS-
ISOLATED Press) Fred C. Slater. Amer
lean Consul denied to the Associated
Press that the consulate had ever put
difficulties in the way of giving visas
on passports OF those persons who failed
to promise to travel on Amedican ves-
sells. He stated that advertising matter
of American lines had been placed in
the hands OF travellers after visa had
been granted. but declared that no men,
tion of an American line had been made
prior Co granting the visa. No pressure
of any kind had been used TO persuade
any one to travel on American lines.
Newcastle Is the center for the book
ing OF American passages from this
section. and large business Ia done
there. There is said to be keen COM
petition among the agents OF the various
lines for passenger business. Shipping
and business circles to-day arc in q
state bordering on CONSERVATION. Nu-
merous ships OF various nationalities
already are held up. lacking consular
bills OF health and shipment OF mcr-
chandise for the United States cannot
70 forward without consular invoices.
All ships OF whatever nationality,
touching at this port bound for the
United States need bill of health from
the American consulate. These average
from four to five daily. 1t Is said sew
eral vessels rather than lie up at New
castle indefinitely, are proceeding with
out a bill OF health and running the
chance OF heavy fine on arrival at an
American mort.