The Detroit times., 1915-01-21
REFORM NEEDED
IN CONTRABAND
REGULATIONS
JOHN BAssETr MOORE.
Abolition of Conditional Reg
ulation and New International
Agreement Advocated
COMMERCE NOW EXISTS
By GRACE OF ENGLAND
If War Fleets We're Equally
Matched Conditions Would
BE Appalling

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2l.-Aboliuon OF
Conditional conIra band" ana adoption
OF single list in wnlcn neutrals
and belhgerents should cooperate IN
the ceruncauon or contents OF ear
goes, was urged here touay by Jonn
Bassett Moore, as the solution TO the
ship seizure problems. The former
counsellor 70 the state department
was addressing several hunured dele
gates representing commercial organ
izations OF the country, attending the
national foreign trade convention
here.
THE impulse OF the belligerenL'
said Prof. Moore, lis TO cut on his
enemy altogether and 10 prevent him
from getting anything from the out
side. NeutFals, on the other hand, de-
sire that their trade should not be
hampered unduly by an armed con
flict TO which he Is not a party"
Only by grace OF English control OF
the seas, intimated Prof. Moore, was
American commerce moved today.
No matter what friendly arrange
ment is reached through negotiations
now pending between Great Britain
and the United States" continued
Prof. Moore, 1T can hardly be expect
ed TO be- more than makeshift,
under the present state OF the law
The question requires for its eventual
adjustment more radical solution
than any OF the compromises attempt
ed in recent years have provided
II, instead OF the naval supremacy
exercised in its own interests, and
that OF the allies, by the largest con-
sumer OF our agricultural productions
and foodstuffs. the control of the seas
was contested by powerful fleets. IL is
almost appalling TO reflect what might
be the present condition OF our com.
merce. The suggestion of such a pre-
dicament justifies us in giving 10 the
subject our most serious considera-
ton, for we must look To the future
as we'll as 10 the present"
The laying OF marine mines by bel
ligerent nations is "a method OF war
TO be regarded as an atrocity which
no nation is at liberty to perpetrate." :"
was Moore's conclusion.
Discussing Prot Moore's address,
Cadman F. Randolph. OF New York,
declared that. all things considered,
I'VE must hold the British government
responsible for the far reaching and
severe restraint on international
trade"
William G.. Redfeld secretary Of
commerce. told the delegates he ex-
pected within a short time TO an
nounce that South American jobbers
handling an enormous business in two
lines amounting TO several millions
annually, had given their trade TO
American manufacturers, outlining the
work OF the commerce department. he
called attention to the high efficiency
tests he had formulated in the selec-
tion or commercial attaches who are
now in foreign capitals. These at
taches, he said, have a relation to
the commercial world similar 10 the
diplomatic relation OF the diplomatic
representatives. or his efficiency
tests, Redfleld said they were so rigid
that only 10 per cent of the appli-
cants showed the requirements neces-
sary.
The delegation from the eastern
states. occupying an entire special
train, will not arrive until tonight.
Among the foreign trade boosters on
hand for todays session are j. H.
Foot, OF Singapore; ]. Wylie Brown,
secretary of the American chambe.
OF commerce, of Constantinople, ana
A. II. Fride, an automobile dealer, OF
Petrograd, Russia.