Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-02
U. s. INCLINED
TO BACK CONSUL
At NEWCASTLE
Improper Influence in
Favor of American
Ships Claimed
Deprived of Authority by Brit
ish Officials-Not to Move to
Reopen Consulates Until AZ
fair is Probed-See No Dis
credit for Men in Investiga-
ton to Date

Washington, Sept. 1-(By A. P.)-
The Washington government is not
convinced that there was any mis-
conduct on the part of it's two con-
sular officers at Newcastle, England,
who recently were deprived of their
authority by British officials, and I'M
til proper investigation has been
made no steps are to be taken to re-
open the Newcastle consulate.
The action of the British author
tiles in cancellng the exequaturs of
the two American agents, it was
pointed out today automatically re-
suited in the closing of the consulate
and if inconvenience to the British
subjects has resulted, the RESPONSE
hility for it does not rest upon Wash
ington. For the present no other
consular officers are available for the
Newcastle post, it is declared, and in
any case this government is imme-
diately interested in having TIL, doubt
Which has pSSu SdSl opOIl Up INpiS
sentatives cleared away.
Officials here will not discuss the
incident in detail, but it is apparent
that cancellation of the eXeQuaturs
came as surprise in view of the
fact that the action was taken before
the state department had completed
it's investigation into the British
charges that the Newcastle consul
and vice consul had improperly infiu-
enced travellers to patronize vessels
OF the L. S. Shipping Board in dis
elimination of British ships.
1t was learned today that President
Harding has interested himself in
the case and while he recognizes that
additional evidence may be produced
as the Investigations continue he be-
lieves nothing has developed to the
present time to reflect dlscredit on
the two men. State department Off
Gals also said there was no informal
ton in their possession on which dis
ciplinary action of the conSuls would
be justified.
The wish was expressed at the
White House that Americans should
interest themselves in the United
States merchant marine to as great
an extent as other nationals were in
terested in the shipping interests of
their countries. The expression of
this desire was accepted in some of
fetal quarters as indicating ten
dency on the part of American gov
crnment officials to approve rather
than disapprove the action of the
Newcastle consuls, at least as far
as they have been relieved in infor-
nation received here.
Ambassador Harvey. in London,
has been fully advised of the stu
alton as it is viewed by officials here.
He also has been informed that tie
policy of this government will be to
keep the consulate closed, at least
until the investigation Icing made
is concluded and the government is
able to select new officers to take
over the Newcastle post. Any re
quest by Great Britain for the re-
Opening Of the consulate meanwhile
will be answered in this light.
Though generallv "--~~---' "a ~ ~
ternational law as an inherent
sovereign right of any state, the
cancellation of exequaturs held by
consular officers is specifically au-
thorized in the treaty of 1915 be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain known as treaty to regulate
commerce between the two coun-
tries"
This treaty was renewed in 1918
for short time and subsequently
was extended indefinitely through an
agreement of the goNernment