have any such exclusive use. Accordingly, in our understanding of the characteristic essential for classification of any article as absolute contraband, rosin and turpentine cannot be placed among absolute contraband without prejudicing the interests of a neutral nation to an extent beyond which no belligerent can fairly go. The production of rosin and turpentine is an important American industry. In 1909, according to reports of the Bureau of the Census, it had products valued at $25,000,000, and gave employment to 44,000 persons. In the fiscal year of 1913 rosin valued at $17,000,000 was exported: in largest value, $4,900,000, to Germany; Great Britain received the second largest value, $3,800,000. In the fiscal year of 1914, the value of all rosin exported fell to $11,200,000, with Germany and Great Britain still the largest and second largest importers. Of spirits of turpentine the United States exported a value of $8,700,000 in fiscal year of 1913, and a value of $8,000,000 in the year ended with June 1914. In the latter year a value of $2,900,000 was exported to Great Britain, $1,800,000 to the Netherlands, and $1,300,000 to Germany. These statistics give some indication of the commercial and economic importance of the present attitude of England. This attitude. will greatly accentuate the serious effects the European war has already had in the naval stores industry; in October 1914, the value of all rosin exported from the United States was $351,000, whereas in October 1913, the value was $677,000. The value of all turpentine exported in October 1914 was but $174,000; in October of last year it was $478,000. Unless Great Britain soon rescinds its decision to make rosin and turpentine absolute contraband of war, the state of the naval stores industry will still further decline. Very respectfully, SHIPMENTS OF TOBACCO JOHN H. FAHEY President File No. 763.72112/320 The Hopkinsville Tobacco Board of Trade to the Secretary of State Hopkinsville, Kentucky, November 5, 1914. DEAR SIR: The Hopkinsville Tobacco Board of Trade desires to call your attention to the deplorable condition of affairs in west Kentucky and west Tennessee is what is known as the "export district of dark-fired tobacco," grown in about thirty counties of western Kentucky, and eight or ten counties in western Tennessee. The crop of this section amounts to about 150,000,000 pounds tobacco annually, and of this quantity 20 per cent of said crop is manufactured and consumed in the United States, and 80 per cent is exported to Europe, namely: England, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Holland, and all other northern European countries. Germany and Austria purchase of us 33% per cent of our total export crop. 302 By reason of the disturbed conditions caused by the war, trading and shipping in our product has been entirely stopped, not that any of these countries have classed tobacco as "contraband", but from the fact that shipments consigned to all countries have been interfered with, and some destined to Germany and Austria have been captured and towed into English ports. There is a great deal of tobacco of the 1913 crop that is bought and unpaid for remaining at ports in the United States for shipment, and still other shipments that started but have dodged into neutral ports. All of this brings dire distress to our farmers and tobacco growers who in this section depend upon their tobacco as their money crop. In August a delegation from Kentucky and Tennessee appeared at what was termed the "cotton conference," which was presided over by Secretary McAdoo, other members of the Cabinet, and the regional reserve board members being present. At this meeting we were assured that whatever consideration was shown by the Government in the interest of cotton, the same would be extended to export tobacco. The purpose of said meeting was to secure Government loans on warehouse certificates. We see that a treaty, or agreement, has been effected with the Ambassador of England whereby the embargo is raised on cotton, and a promise that shipments will not be interfered with destined to Germany, Austria, and other countries in Europe. Now, we hereby petition you, as our representative and Secretary of State, to use your good office to secure for export tobacco the same consideration as has been secured for cotton, raising the embargo and permitting the shipment of tobacco in neutral bottoms to all European ports. As the tobacco crop is not greater this year than a normal or average crop, if the agreement is affected there will be a demand that will take up our entire crop, thereby relieving the necessity for further appeal for Government loans, as the European countries will furnish the money to pay for the same. We recognize that tobacco is a revenue producer in all these countries, nevertheless the revenue is paid by the subjects of each respective country, and tobacco being a luxury, the more the government consumes the greater the depletion of the treasury of that government, as it is used for cigars, and tobacco so purchased soon goes up in smoke. It cannot be used in the support of, nor sustain life as food, neither can it help the sick or wounded; it cannot be used for bullets or bayonets, therefore we see no reason why England, or any other country, should object to legitimate commercial transactions being carried on when the effect is of so great importance to a large section of Kentucky and Tennessee, whose farmers are at present without money to pay their state taxes until the market is opened up. We pray you therefore to take immediate steps to give us relief. Yours truly, HOPKINSVILLE TOBACCO BOARD OF TRADE File No. 763.72112/332 The Acting Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Spring Rice) DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 6, 1914. MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: The Department is greatly pressed by American growers and exporters of tobacco for an indication of the position of the British Government in regard to shipments of this article. It is represented that 80 per cent of the dark tobacco grown in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia is exported, and that Germany and Austria consume annually one third of our total exportation of this commodity. Complaint is made that when war was declared a great deal of tobacco that had been contracted for to be delivered in Austria, Belgium, and Germany was stopped at our shipping points here, or diverted into foreign neutral ports, so that as a result it has been impossible to make deliveries. The tobacco growers and exporters are familiar with the cotton situation and say that it would be a great relief to them if an assurance could be obtained as to tobacco along the same lines as was obtained from the British Government as to cotton. As the sale of the 1914 crop will begin about the middle of this month and as it is most important from the point of view of popular opinion in the United States, especially in the southern portion where conditions resulting from the war have caused very great hardship and not a little distress, it would be very gratifying if you could find it possible to give an assurance to me, which may be published, to the effect that as tobacco is not on any of the contraband lists of Great Britain, the British Government has no intention of interfering with shipments in neutral bottoms to any countries in Europe. I am [etc.] ROBERT LANSING File No. 763.72112/398 The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Acting Secretary of State BRITISH EMBASSY, Washington, November 7, 1914. DEAR MR. COUNSELLOR: In reply to your letter of November 6 I have the honour to inform you that as tobacco is not on any of the British contraband lists which I have received, nor as I understand, on any list which has been communicated to you, the British Government has no intention of interfering with shipments in neutral bottoms to any countries in Europe. I am [etc.] CECIL SPRING RICE INTERFERENCE BY BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS WITH CASES ARISING UNDER THE BRITISH PROCLAMATION OF AUGUST 4 AND ORDER IN COUNCIL OF AUGUST 201 File No. 300.115/528 The North American Export Grain Association to the Secretary of State [Telegram] New York, August 12, 1914. During the past week many vessels carrying grain and other foodstuffs from the United States to continental ports have been diverted to English ports. The precise causes of these diversions are not as yet precisely known but we are advised to-day that the British Admiralty are notifying shipowners to land the cargoes of the diverted vessels with the port authorities who are instructed to sell perishable cargo and store non-perishable. We beg you to cable our Ambassador in London to make immediate inquiry of the British Government concerning the action taken in these cases. In the present circumstances shippers are without protection and invoke the interposition of their Government for the protection of their property and interests. NORTH AMERICAN EXPORT GRAIN ASSOCIATION File No. 300.115/154 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 13, 1914, 8 p. m. Department has received information that vessels carrying grain and other foodstuffs from United States to continental ports have been diverted to English ports, particularly steamers Kursk, Campanello, and Spenser from New York to Rotterdam, containing shipment 360,000 bushels of wheat by Milmine, Bodman and Company, and that British Admiralty are notifying shipowners to land cargoes of diverted vessels with port authorities who are instructed to sell perishable cargo and store non-perishable. Make inquiry of British Government for facts of case and bring to its attention injury to result from this course, if followed, to American shippers. Department understands that some of these vessels are or will be diverted to ports affording no market for the cargoes, whether perishable or non-perishable, and that such action, if taken, will result in heavy losses to American exporters. Milmine, Bodman and Company protest 'Ante, pp 219-20. against action and insist that wheat be sold only with advice and assistance of one of their British correspondents. Department desires full facts of situation with reasons and basis for British Government's action. BRYAN File No. 300.115 The Secretary of State to all Seaport Consuls [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 17, 1914. Telegraph promptly capture of merchant vessels coming to your knowledge. When you have information of claim of American owner of cargo, give informal notice thereof; and when requested by American owner of cargo, select representative for him without liability of yourself or this Government. BRYAN File No. 763.72112/87 The Consul General at London (Skinner) to the Secretary of State [Received August 18, 1914, 1.15 p. m.] Marshal of prize court informs me neutrals can obtain possession of their property not contraband by applying procurator general, Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, who will require proof ownership and particulars as to freight whether paid or unpaid. SKINNER File No. 300.115/63 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, August 18, 1914. [Received August 19, 11.30 a. m.] 405. Your August 13, 8 p. m. Sir Edward Grey informs me that British Government will consider claims of American shippers se cargoes destined for ports of British enemies are diverted to tish ports and sold. If such claims for loss by such diversion be ablished, the British Government will in due time pay them. the 2432-28-20 |