CONTRABAND COPPER AND COTTON.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13673, 12 January 1915, Page 5

CONTRABAND COPPER AND COTTON.

RIGHT OF EXAMINATION'MAIN-

TAINED.

A3JOTCAN IU.'I'BE-I? EXPORTS.

(Received Jan. 11, 8.15 p.m.)

London, Jan. 11

Sir Edward Grey adds that Great Britain is prepared to admit that foodstuffs should not be interfered with unless they are intended for belligerent armies. America's prohibition of the publication of shipping manifests for thirty days increased the difficulty of detecting contraband. The British Government .will gladly enter into an ar-

CABLE NEWS.

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rangement to avoid mistakes and promptly recompense neutrals for improper detention. It was imperative that Great Britain should stop copper shipments not genuinely destined for neutrals. * The Government had positive evidence that four Swedish consignments were destined for Germany, and it was unable to believe that the United States would question the -propriety of taking suspected cargoes to the Prize Court.

With regard to foodstuffs, the Government was unable to give an unconditional undertaking. In view of the enemy's departure from the accepted rules of civilisation and humanity, and the uncertainty about such rules being violated in future, it was essential to bring into port all vessels suspected of carrying contraband.

The Government had placed cotton on the free list, yet it had received information that cotton was being carried in ships specially selected to carry concealed contraband. It affirmed its intention to examine such suspected vessels.

It was impossible for Great Britain to permit the export of rubber to America, unless the latter admitted Great Britain's right to submit rubber cargoes exported from America to the Prize Court. There was a growing danger of neutrals contiguous to the enemy becoming a base of supplies for the enemy. Great Britain would endeavour to prevent that danger by intercepting goods intended for the enemy, without interfering with those which were bona fide intended for neutrals.