File No. 763.72112/216

The President of the New York Chamber of Commerce ( Seth Low ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

American cotton shippers are in a serious predicament owing to the uncertainty regarding Great Britain’s attitude towards shipments of cotton to neutral European countries. It is reported that the British authorities have announced that cotton to Germany and Austria is on their prohibited list and have warned vessels trading to Scandinavia, Holland, and Italy that serious consequences may be expected for carrying cotton for German or Austrian consumption.

This apparently means that all cotton destined to these countries will be brought before an English prize court and subject to condemnation unless the proof of neutral ownership is satisfactory to such court, meaning possible condemnation or at best the heavy expenses necessary to make an appearance and defense. Neither shippers nor insurance companies can possibly assume risk of this kind unless some guarantee can be given them through our State Department as to the attitude of the British Government, first, as regards shipments that are destined for Germany and Austria, and secondly, if the English Government still holds these liable to capture, what proof will be required of neutral destination. It is imperative that the procedure necessary to establish the innocence of such cargo be known in advance of shipment. Apart from the demand from Germany and Austria there is, and has in the past, been a bona fide demand for cotton for consumption in these neutral countries, especially in Italy, and large engagements have already been made for such shipments.

The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York urges as a matter of justice to American shippers and to the great cotton interests of the country that Great Britain be requested to give some authoritative statement of her attitude in this matter and of the conditions under which cotton for consumption in neutral countries may be forwarded without interference.

New York Chamber Of Commerce
Seth Low
, President