The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-14
COTTON CONTRABAND
LORD CECIL HINTS
British Statesman Tells Cor
respondents Allies Must
Take Action.
NAY PAY L. S. GROWERS
Compensation Plan and the
Protection Of Neutral
Trade Suggested.
sp,e,o, co,,, D,.po,ch 10 Tur srx

Special cobie D,spnch 10 Tue srS
LONDON. Aug I3-Lord Robert Cecil,
Under Secretary OF FOREIGN Affairs. out
lined the policy OF Great Britain and
her allies toward cotton for American
newspap per correspondents to-day.
1t was a unique proceeding. the nrst
time that an official statement has been
delivered in this manner during the war.
and was taken to indicate the great
anxiety OF the British Government and
her allies to impress upon the United
States the reasons upon which. In all
likelihood. cotton IL to be declared con-
traoand.
There was no such statement made by
the speaker. but this impression was
gained by his talk
THE British Government, acting in
conjunction with the Governments Of her
allies In the war. is giving the cotton
situation its most earnest consideration
said Lord Cecil
The Government is fully aware Of
the importance of cotton to America and
fully understands that upon a satisfac-
tory adjustment OF the matter depends
the welfare. to a considerable degree. OF
nearly one-quarter of the population OF
the United States. However. the well
fare OF the whole population Of Great
Britain Is involved as well as that OF all
OF her allies.
says Ante. Must Act.
There are other matters concerning
contraband and trade. The fundamentals
OF the situation are quite clear. The
Allies must. by all lawful means. preven,
cotton from reaching their enemies. That
is a vital military necessity. which all
the world Will recognize. Al the same
time equally important consideration
must be given to a great cotton produc-
ing country like America and to the con-
sumins countries like Sweden. Norway.
Denmark and Holland. A policy must
be devised which will respect the legiti-
mate rights Of the neutral and yet safe
guard the legitimate interest Of Great
Britain's allies and infict as much
damage AZ possible on our enemies.
"It may be- considered necessary to
make cotton contraband. There is a
demand in the allied countries that this
should be done and there Is assuredly
ample justification for the action II II
Is deemed necessary. Cotton ~ "A very
important anu essential ingredient, in
fact "A propulsiNe explosive
Copper Is contraband by all the laws
. of nations, yet in the present wal cot
, Ia. "A N tha "a
copper. There may be "A substitute for
copper In making munitions OF war. but
: for cotton there is no known substitute.
Ell American cotton goes through to
GERMANY the Germans use II 10 XIII the
| soldiers OF the Allies therefore. cotton
must not so to Germany. The act Of
, making cotton contraband would be u
distinctly legal action and can inter-
, nationally be justified beyond the possi-
bility Of protest.
~, far as American cotton is con-
cerned, the problem OF marketing II on
this side would undergo little change.
American tton destined for Germany
IL now stopped by our blockade. II the
product Is made contraband II would he
stopped In the same manner The prin-
! cipal difference would be that II cotton
were contraband shipments from Amer
lea suspected 10 be for Germany would
be seized and would be liable to con-
fscation; whereas, cotton is now seized.
but not necessarily conhscated
To Permit Neutral Tradins.
"in any case. whether cotton shall
become contra ba nd or not, the Allies must
permit neural trading in this pl oduct.
| The American growers must be given
their. ma rket In neutral countries even
n they are adjacent to Germany and
. the industries OF these @ untries must
, have the cotton required for their own
needs.
How to permi; this supply to go for
ward and yet safeguard the interests
. OF the Allies by making sure that none
, OF It go to the enemy constitutes a
complicated problem Of great dimens ons,
, We are interested only in keeping " t.
, ton out OF Germany. We not only do
not object to 1t going 10 neutral coun-
tries but we are in fact anxious that
II should go in order that there may
n be "A minimum or inconvenience to tha
!. neutral poweis concerned,
ut is obvious that the loss OF the Aus
: tro-German market will mean much to
n the American cotton growers. and we
4 fully realize that II there Is no Austro-
Z German outlet the price may go down
and Americans suffer unless some means
r are devised in compensation. Proposals
Y In that direction have been made and
y are receiving careful consdera tion
= What will become OF them ! cannot say
y at this time, Certainly am not at lib
erty to imply that favorable action will
r be taken, nor will | say there will not
All Americans must he fully aware OF the
. complicated and gigantic character OF
y any scheme of this sort and what study
!, !. will be required before 1t can be put In
!. operation.
. II hope America will not be impa tient
Il but will rest assured that the Govern.
ments OF the Allies will give every con.
v sideratlon to the legitimate interests OF
y all neutrals"
Contra baud and Victory Not One,
The Saturday Repie,o in n calmly rea.
u soned article on the question OF contra
" banding cotton. neither advocating nor
!, opposing, contends that II is a matter for
y the Government only to decide The
Government !s In touch with all Interests
" involved and It Is not a question for out
" side politicians or outside observers
u There 10 in fact no simple obvious
thing to be done in this matter" the
Saturday RCueW says "One dares now
to think that on the whole to make cot
= ton cOntraband would be the hest plar
L.. ~,