The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1915-08-21
italy ADDS TO
TRADE TROUBLES
Com p|ications In Mediterra-
mean Confidently Expected.
.DIPL0MACY'S EFFORTS VAIN

DIPL0mACY'S EFFORTS VAIN
eriton and German Red Tape Effective.
~ Closes Practically All Commercial
channeIs-Americans Who Seek I'M
ports Are Forced to Wait Until Ter
mination Of the War.
= New YOrk.-The entrance Of Italy
into the European war has added great
~ to the embarrassments attending
American commercial relations with
Europe.
These have been growing more seri-
GUS in the last three months. The dis
positions of both Great Britain and
Germany have been persistently less
and less considerable of the interests of
neutrals, and lately feeling of dis
gust with all effort to carry on certain
lines Of foreign trade with the CONT
nent has taken possession of some of
the business elements in this country,
much to the regret of the commercial
agencies of the government.
Only a few days ago a Chicago bust
ness man told story of his own expe
Renee that illustrated this attitude:
II have an order of $4,000 worth OF
drugs, chemicals. medicines and the
Ike" he said, bought and paid for in
Germany. If could get the goods into
this country I could easily make $780,
600 profit on them. But between the
German stringencies about exporting
things that they fear may help enemy
countries and the allies restrictions
against commerce getting out of and
into Germany have found it useless
to push the matter
The difficulties that can be thrown in
the way of simple commercial transac-
lions when both Germany and Eng
land show disposition to oppose them
are Illustrated by the case Of a con-
Segment of potash which was destin-
ed to an American fertilizer manufac-
turer. This concern, having been for
years In the regular business of buying
potash from Germany, had a large
credit with the syndicate which con-
trolls the potash production and in
which the German government holds
control. There was no question about
the payment for the potash, because
the money was already in the syndi-
Gates hands.
The British authorities objected to
the potash going out on the ground
that they are trying to prevent CON-
merce in general with Germany. But
the particular case was so innocent
that after good deal of discussion the
British authorities agreed to let this
shipment come out.
Up to this time the Germans seemed
anxious that the deal should be made.
But just so soon as they learned that
Britain had given way Berlin began
to find objections. There must be
absolute assurance that the potash
would be used only for fertilizer max
ing. This assurance was given, to-
gether with the promise that the Amer
lean government authorities would be
responsible for the execution of the
pledge. But at this point further con-
ditions were imposed. The Germans
wanted inspectors, representing the
American government, to follow the
potash to the factories, watch all the
processes and then certify that it had
been used, all of it. for fertilizer
This rn4rt o%
Then it occurred to the Germans that
they would like to have an inspector
Of their own to inspect the American
government inspector, see that he did
his inspecting correctly-and half his
expenses to be paid on this side.
That proved the last straw. The ne
gotiation was dropped. and there is no
present chance Of that potash getting
to this side till after the war.
Large movements Of oils, dyes. chem
icals, drugs, medicines. potash and va
rious other German specialties are held
up now by reason Of the attitudes of
both Germany and Britain. There has
seemed to be little choice between the
two countries so far as concerns their
insistence on unreasonable conditions
for commerce.
The British attitude toward ship
ments Of cotton has been especially de-
moralizing to that trade. Commercial
authorities Of this government realize
that Great Britain is determined at any
hazard to keep cotton out Of Germany.
In the effort to do this the whole move
ment Of cotton. to the continent has be-
come involved. About twenty-five car
goes Of cotton are now held up. accord
ing to the authorities here. and there is
no knowing what will be the final de-, (
termination Of the whole problem. The
British willingness to take over and
pay for cargoes that are seized does
not give satisfaction from any point of
view. while the delays in getting the
business settled are constantly more
and more annoying.
With the war area being extended by
the appearance Of Italy among the bel
ltgerents new complications and diff.
culties In the Mediterranean are GER
tain. Down to the present the allies
have been very considerate Of Italian
susceptibilities for obvious political rea-
sons. and Mediterranean traffic has
been mainly exempted from the oner-
GUS conditions imposed elsewhere. But
Italy Is now with the allies. and her
forces will be united with theirs in ex-
tending the restrictions to Mediterra-
mean traffic suspected Of possibly being
destined to any Of the enemies Of I.aly
and her allies.