The Washington herald., 1915-08-15
cotton
WAR CONTRABAND
British Consider Plan to Make
Their Legal Defense
Stronger.
WOULD INSURE CROPS
English. 1t Is Rumored. Would Protect
Growers by Taking All Cotton
at Given Price.

Great Britain has under serious con
sideration proposal that cotton shall
be declared contra band of war and treat
ed as such by the allies Authoritative
information to this effect has been re-
ceived by this government. although II
was not transmitted through Official
channels.
The action contemplated by Grea,
Britain will be accompanied by an an.
nouncement of a new policy that is un.
derstood to be designed to have a quiet
ing effect on the cotton raisers Of the
South and their representatives in Con-
gress. 1t was stated in an authoritative
| quarter yesterday that il Great Britain
places cotton on the contraband list. as
| now seems assured, she will make certain
| guarantees that will assure the stability
of cotton prices.
The effect Of such a policy. it Is be-
lieved. would go long way toward the
notification of the movement that is I'M
der way to force Congress to place an
embargo as measure of reprisal against
England for her action in holding up cot
ton shipments and referring them to
prize courts.
AS officials here view the situation,
Great Britain has a double purpose in
her apparent determination to transfer
cotton to the contraband list. In the first
place she is said to be fearful that dis
satisfaction in the South over the prac-
teal suspension of the cotton trade, due
to the operation of the order in council,
under which cotton destined for neutral
countries Is seized and referred to prize
courts. might result in such a demand
for an embargo on arms and ammunition
that Congress might be unable to resist.
Secondly. officials here believe that Great
Britain apprehends that at the close of
the war she may be a>>essed heavy dam
ages by an International court by reason
of her seizure of product that she con-
cedes is noncontraband of war.
Seek Firmer Legal Ground.
The argument was made yesterday by
officials here who sought to interpret
Great Britain's contemplated change of
policy as regards cotton that she has
reached the conclusion she will stand on
firmer legal grounds in defense when the
time comes to settle up in an interna-
tional court at the close of hostilities
The first consideration is said to weigh
more heavily with Great Britain.
From a legal point Of view the status
of cotton on the high seas would not be
changed if declared contraband by the
British. For all practical purposes the
product is now contraband. as Great
Britain insists upon holding up cargoes
on the plea that though consigned to
neutral countries it is intended for belli-
gerents. But the present policy Is a
sore spot in the relations between the
United States and Great Britain, menac-
ing a source of supply of arms and mu-
nitions for the allies, and causing this
government great endorsements at
home. Accordingly, this government
will not be surprised If it shortly re-
ceivers notification from Great Britain
that cotton has been declared contra
band, accompanied by a declaration that
American cotton growers need not be
as Great Britain will take
measures to finance the crop to save the
United States from loss so far as the
great staple of the South is involved. |
This will be done. 1t is asserted, by Great
Britain guaranteeing that she will take |
all cotton at a given price.
1t is privately admitted by administra- |
ton officials that in the present temper |
IF the South it might be exceedingly diff |
icult at the forthcoming session of Con- |
yress to prevent the passage of bill |
IMPOSING an embargo on the shipment of
munitions of war.