The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-08-13
{ N Gil AND MAY
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CO 7 7 ON CROP
10 STOP GERMANY
FROM SECURING COTTON
IS ADVANCED

London, Aug l3.-pmchase by
Eneland OF the entire cotton crop oil
the United states to prevent any
from falling into oermany's hands to
be used in the manufacture OF high
explosives is the stupendous war
measure just proposed by Lord Bar
esiord
This startling solution Of serious
problem which Just now IS engaging
English statesmen was lade in a
letter today read at meeting heli
here to impress upon the government
the necessity OF declaring cotton con-
traband Of war Lord Baresford sug-
gested that the British government
resell the American cotton crop even
if at a loss.
at the meeting Sir William Ram
say, the c1inent scientist declared
cotton was the only substance re-
qulred for the iamufacturc of muni-
tions with which the Germans could
not supply themselves. He said no
chemical products can take the place
of cotton in propulsiye ammunition
and that ammunition Iade from used
cotton is not as effective as that
made from unused cotton.
Sir Charles Macara, president Of
the Master Cotton spinners assocla-
ton OF Great Britain, presided at the
meeting and Sir William was the
principal speaker. An inspired state
ment published in most OF the news
papers this morning depreciating the
agitation to make cotton contraband
and intimating that negotiations with
The United States on this subject
we're proceeding had the effect Of les.
sening interest in ii meeting Both
the presiding officer and chief speak
err were lnsistent, however that inn
mediate action should be taken
In opening the proceeding the pres
ident Of the cotton spinners said;
I'VE must utilize our command 9i
the highways of the sea- both prac
tically and diploaatically, to prevent
cotton reaching enemy countries
while at the same time acting fairly
In the interests OF neutral countries.
Sir William Ramsay, who seconded
a resolution which was passed, de
manding that cotton be declared con
traband, asserted that while substi
tutes for cotton could be used in max
ing nitro cellulose, none of them haC
what was called the "hallistic pow
err of cotton and if anything were
used by the Germans it would neces
state enlarging the chambers OF
their guns and altering the sights OF
their rifles, an expedient which not
even Germany could be prepared to
Eadont in the course OF a great war.
He declared the Gotten was going in
to Germany by devious routes. 1t
was sold, he said to Dutch and Swed-
ish companies under a guarantee that
it would not be sold to Germany O.
Austria. While technically this guar
antee was not violated, Sir Charles
contended it was in reality a subter-
iuse, for the Lutch and Swedish con-
signees sold the shipments to Swiss
companies, who in turn sold them to
Great Britain's adyersaries.
Use 1000 Tons a Day.
The estimate was made by Sri
Charles that a thousand tons of cot
ton is used every day of the war and
he protested that it was grossly un-
fair to English soldiers and their al
lies that Great Britain should con
tinue to supply Germany with this
commodity.
Had cotton been stepped at the
cotton had been declared contraband
last February the war would now be
its final scenes and add
ed
Cotton is stll entering Germany
She might Just as well be allowed to
import shells, Neutral powers should
be informed that we intend to main
ain cur maritime rights as a bellig-
srent OF what use to us is tae ras-
cry cf the sea unless we profit by its
ldvantages2
We don't wish to hamper the trade
If the great English speaking nation
cross the Atlantic There are diff
ultles, but difficulties were created
"a ha facad