Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-23
London Foreign Office
Reveals Cotton Shipments
to Germany by NeutraIs

LONDON. August %, 7:45 p.m.-In
connection with the declaration of cot
ton as contraband of war. the foreign
office today issued a statement which
purports to show that the imports into
Holland and Scandinavia of raw cotton
and of cotton waste during the months
of May, June and July totaled 1894
tons, as compared with a normal aver
age of 35,303 tons. OF the latter, how
ever, it is stated that all but 1857 tons
were re-exported.
These figures show the statement
continues, that during these months
Importation of cotton has not been sub
stantially greater than in times of
peace, and it is a fair deduction from
this that apart from any other meas
ures that have been taken Germany
has not since May last received any con-
siderable supply of cotton through
those countries.
ut is not anticipated that owing to
the declaration of cotton as contra ba nd
there will be any great difference in the
importation of cotton into the coun-
tries concerned, and there is no reason
to suppose that the American or Egyp-
tian exporters of cotton will in the
future be in a less advantageous posi-
ton than they have been in the last
three months.
London Press Comment.
The questions concerning cotton being
declared contraband of war and what
the United States will do concerning
the sinking by German submarine
boat of the White Star line steamship
Arabic form the main topics of the
editorial expressions in the London
newspapers this morning.
Although the British press was by
Il Il tI,., .
cotton be made contra band, now that
the government has taken the plunge
it's decision meets virtually with the
universal approval of those newspapers
which hitherto had refrained from
urging the step. These newspapers
now take the view that the govern
ment, with it's advantage of having the
best information at its disposal. was
in a better position to judge than the
proper method of dealing with the
question.
Some of the editorial comment shows
that considerable political feeling has
entered into the matter. For instance,
the Morning Post claims that it has
ment entered into power that the order
in council has been administered in
such manner as to prevent Germany
receiving cotton through neutral ports.
Would Also Bar Textiles.
The Post expresses the desire to
know why woven cotton fabrics and
textiles also were not declared contra
band. since it says the claim has been
made that Germany can employ them
as efficient substitutes for cotton in
the manufacture of explosives.
The Daily Chronicle interprets the
governments declaration to mean that
while the government will decline to
enter into any vast project for buying
up the American cotton crop it will
be prepared to make such purchases
as may seem advisable to support the
market and secure a reasonable level
of prices for the American grower.
The Times regards the declaration of
cotton as contra band with the greatest
satisfaction.
The newspaper adds that under the
order in council cargoes of cotton can
not be confiscated, and that it STANDS to
reason that the liability to confisca-
ton will have a deterrent effect on
legitimate trade. Thus, the newspaper
concludes. the governments decision
will improve Great Britain's interna-
tional legal position and tend to re-
move causes of friction with the United
States.