Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-09-20
The Newcastle "Crimc"


a I last the truth is known regarding the
Il olfonsc of American Counsul Fred &.
Slater. whose CNequatur as the American
consular representative at Newcastle, Eng
land. WAS summary Cancelled by the British
government. This young man. without
realizing tina; he was stepping hard upon
the toes OF the sacred British merchant
marine was discovered by British ship
owners placing United States Shipping
Board circulars inside the vised passports
of travellers and otherwise advising his fell
low countrymcn TO return to America on
American ships.
Il is no wonder that the British govern
ment. in state of Indignation. should out
law this American. That official dared TO
advertise the fact that his own country and
his own government operate passenger ships
and dared to commend these ships to Amer
leans who sought vscs at his hands IL is
no wonder that the British generated
rage when they heard Of such official inn
rudcnce. The least they could do would be
20 withdraw official recognition OF this con
sui and thereby give notice TO all other
americans i'll the consular service that they
would be taking their official lives into their
own hands If they followed the lead Of their
colleague.
j. Barstow Smull. president OF the
Emergency Fleet Corporation has just re-
turned from England While there he made
IL his business to get the facts about the
Slater AFFAIR, and he has satisfied himself
that Slater and his vcc-consul, Russell NJ.
Brooks are guilty only of a little cnthus-
iasm over the American merchant marine
and natural and patriotic desire 10 fur
Their the interests OF that fleet
There is just one thing. however that the
Hrnlsn Will .. and for. They will fight.
first and last. anything or anybody who
assumes Tor moment TO encourage COM
petition with their merchant marine They
are driven almost TO violence over the
possibility that the United States govern
mcni proposes TO substitute its merchant
fleet, but they arc helpless to defeat this
movement They are not helpless. however
when it comes to killing of q little obscure
American consul who ventures to promote
the interests OF his country and his gov
ornmcnt by suggesting to Americans the
ACCESSIBILITY of sailing aboard their own
property
The first inquiry which MIR. Smull made
when he reached Washington WAS in re-
gard to tho fate OF Mr. Slater. He was
fearful that imprcssionable bureaucracy in
tho state Department might be inundated
by the British insult to Slater and Skaters
government and cashier Tho consul But
happily the department. refused To be scared
by London's laundering. Slater had to he
withdrawn from Newcastle. OF course. lie
could not continue to function there or any
where else in England withon, the con
sent OF the British government. hut tho de-
partment transferred him TO another post
Let us hope that in transferring him the
department founc means Of promoting him
as Il reward for his services
Also the State Department should answer
the British complaint by abolishing the
,l1t. M, m
closed and il should remain closed perma-
rcntly, leaving the Inconvenience shippn
interests Of that port 10 settle the matter
with their own government