The Washington times., 1915-10-26

At that time feelers directed to tho
State Depa rtment brought the report
that the plan was not likely to meet
with favor In that quarter. NO very
definite idea was gained as to the rea-
sons for the objections. but Il IL be-
Iieved that there was fear OF criticism
based on the charge that such o move
would amount to a surrender to Eng
land of our claims to absolute equality
on the sea.
At any rate. the early approaches to
the state Department met with no en-
couragement. and both American puH-
ness and British diplomatic agencies got
the impression that 1t was useless TO
press the suggestion. Announcement
OF the program now comes from MT
Rediield. the Secretary OF Commerce.
and this, together with the fact that
British diplomacy has not been consult
ed. at least at the Washington end mas
led to the impression that the move IL
purely a commercial one. launcned ny
business interests. supported by them
and intended to be only semi i-ofncial
There Is keen concern in Washington
as to the reception that Will De XIV"
to the announcement OF the plan itn'
out doubt there will be some CRITICISM
inspired by political considerations
Some people are going to mlsunder
stand because they can't understand
others because they don't want 10 un
dcrstand. 1t Is part OF the annoumce
ment o. Mr.. Secretary Redheld. una
the scheme has no official backing o'
our State Department. This Is kircr
, rather more significance. IN view OF 'n'
fact that the state department "
effect rejected the program snort UNI
ago. and that now II comes IRON an
other department Of the Government.
Commerce Question Embarrassing
II Is not necessary to inquire wheth
or there has been a divergence oi
oninion between the departments. u
can he said with all confidence thai
the Department OF Commerce has no.
taken up and put through program
that the state Department declined u
accent. The point. II is explained. II
that some things can be done properly
enough through the Department
comerce while the State Department
would not care to commit itself to tn
principles involved In them. .
Nothing since the European "hI o
yan has been more embarrassing
american diplomats than this question
OF commerce among neutrais. Amos
any objection that the Uniteu STAT
might make to any regulation or ptar
tice OF the allies, In ths'r aoan's,s.r" ,,or", :"
tion OF sea power. could be answer
Nv reading the determinations OF priz
courts and Supreme Court In the uucs
tions Of blockade and contraband INA w,
were raised during our ciNil war, u
question has been first to protect ou
commerce as II exists today and sec
ond to make sure that no rights
this country as great haHai pow.
liable to be at war and to need TO plocR
ado an enemy in future. should be sac
| IL has been easy CON
promise. especially with 'onsiderabi
element in the United states protesun
thut our self-rcSpeCt as great poWe
was being sacrificed, ana hhNious
make political capital out OF that a
legation,
Model For United States.
Early in the war the Dutch busines
elements organized an overseas Col
poration. which is the model or IN
one formed for the United states. TT
purpose was to get the aggregated bus
ness responsibility of the country IN
: hind some system of guarantees thu
, would insure the blockading countri'
that their blockade was not being rel
dered nugatory by reason OF contri
band and conditional contraband n
ing introduced into enemy countri
e through neutrals. This was accor
plished, as to Holland. and lately as
Sweden, with measurable success. TT
4 Swedish blockade was imperfect; nov
=, ever, and not until very recently HI
it been strengthened BY reason Of Z
G fact that British submarines have ibe
brought into the Baltic sea. and ha
practically cut off Sweden from Ge
, many on that side as well as on
i side of the western ocean.
>, The Overseas Corporation for I
u United States will be simply scher
d Of having the good faith Of certain re
rHSeGta,ions so guarnn'eed Zee tlln, iha,
accept them, Early in the war t
Rubber Club Of America and the TIE
- tile Alliance entered into arrangemer
of almost precisely similar charact
n Each organization undertook to 81
= guarantees, as substantial as could
e possible where only honor could
pledged. that the blockade would 7
be violated. Articles guaranteed
>, these organizations have been giv
n right-of-way on the great waters wit
tion Is designed to make like $!
p TEN apply TO American commerce
r general.
One Way To End Blockade.
In one SENSE, this Is letting Briti
st and her allies dictate the terms
l. which America may do business "
g the world 1t has elements of natio
humiliation. The other side is that
x fact there is a great war in progre
le that either side would enforce a blo
ade II 1t could; that this country
the same when 1t was at war; Il
m whenever we are at war again we '
IN probably want to enforce another bio
l. ade: and that there Is only one way
;, end a bclligerent's blockade. and I
IL Is to turn In and lick the belligerentI