355
}
there is no evidence of enemy destination.
-
The first matter to be considered is the position with regard to the two prize courted consignments, for inasmuch as the evidence is general evidence not stronger with regard to one consignment than with regard to another it is clear that in dealing with the Copenhagen consign- ment we should follow and be guided by the course adopted with reference to the Prize-Courted consignments here. If the Prize-Courted consignments here are to be released, no reason can be suggested for declining to deliver the Co- penhagen consignment. But if on the other hand, we are go- ing to take the opinion of the Prize Court on the con- singments here, it seems obvirus that the Copenhagen con- singment must be stored there until it can be brought back to this country to be placed in the Prize Court and abide the Cate of the cther consignment
Dealing first, then with the Frize-Courted consign- ments, I refer the Committee to a note by Mr. Scanlan ( of Mr. Simpkin's Department) in which the varicus points of suspicion against the Nordisk Fjerfabrik are very carefully set cut. To that note it may be added that the figures as to the growth of the impert of feathers into Denmark are undoubtedly striking,
It appears from the Statistics of Imports of the War Trade Statistical Department that the January to April im-
ports of feathers into Denmark in 1916 amounted to 760 tons, while the average imports for 4 months during 1913 amcunt- ed to 179 tons. The April imports of feathers in 1916 amounted to 320 tons: and the result is as will be seen that the imports of the one month of April were by much greater than the average imports for four months before the
war.
It should further be added to Mr. Scanlan's note that
since it was written we have received a Chartered Account-
ant's Report upon the books of the Nordisk Fjerfabrik. This
shows
shows that before the war their largest turnover was
with Germany in 1913, 408,000 kroners. This fell heavi-
ly to 167,000 kroners in 1914, but rose to some extent to 198,000 kroners in 1915. For the first quarter of 1916
it fell to 10,000 kroner. These figures undoubtedly show a large trade with Germany. The German turnover was in 1915 considerably larger than that with any other country with the exception of Denmark.
"
The above, taken with Mr. Scanlan's note, represents the whole of the material. Upon that the Procurator Gen- eral wrote a letter to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on May 23rd in which he said that he was of opinion that the Frize Court proceedings could be pursued with some prospect of success, but that, as fea- thers appeared to be of no potential military value, he would be disposed to concur in any arrangement which might be proposed on grounds of policy. I have since had an opportunity of discussing the matter with Mr. Woods and Mr. Stocks, of the Procurator General's Department, and they tell me that further reflection has rather strengthened their opinion as to the prospects of success and that they are therefore disinclined to release.
If this view be adopted, it would seem for reasons above indicated to dispose of the case of the "Aurora". It is, however, (though I do not think it affects the re- sult) right I should say that I take a scmewhat less favcurable view of the case than the Procurator General's Department. In my view the evidence does not carry the case very far; while I think the suspicion fully justi. fled us in placing the goods in the Prize Court I do' not myself think that we are very. likely to secure con- demnation. But, on the other hand, I think en the whole that there are materials which should enable us to satis - fy a Court, if it becomes necessary, that we had reason- able and probable cause for the seizure.
But perhaps the most striking feature of the case,
from
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