Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-07
The Embargo on Reprisal

The Embargo on Reprisal
IT is a curious circumstance that the en-
1 barge on arms and munitions of war, for
which German sympathiZers, because it would
help Germany and injure the allies so loudly
clamor, is urged for quite another and much
more legitimate reason by considerable body
of American sentiment.
Only the Other day the Georgia Legislature
passed a resolution calling on the President
to bring pressure on England 10 permit the
free and uninterrupted shipment of cotton to
neutral countries. and urging. in the event
OF England's continued violations of the laws
OF war, to the commercial injury Of the United
States that an embargo be declared. Ameri-
can manufacturers. whose Industries suffer
for the lack Of various German products,
notably dyestuffs, which have been seized by
British cruisers, have pleaded for. a like
policy. In both cases, ii will be observed,
the embargo is suggested. not as an act of
friendship to Germany. but Of reprisal for
Britains unlawful interference with Ameri-
can trade
There is no question OF the legal right of
the United States to prohibit the shipment Of
arms and munitions. or of any other product
of its people. The right and power. however
are IN Congress-not the President. There
is no doubt. either that the declaration OF
such an embargo, under existing crcum-
stances. would be an unneutral act because
il would take away from the allies the advan-
gcs won by their superiority in naval
strength.
AS matters stand, this nation sells whatso-
ever it produces to whomsoever will buy
What II does not undertake TO do is to guar
antee The delivery of the purchases-that is
for the buyer TO attempt and his enemy to
prevent For German inability to take advan-
tage or these opportunities America is not in
the least responsible, nor is it charged with
the duty OF rectifying the ba lance OF power
on the high seas ii the American policy is
changed and an embargo declared it will not
be in an effort TO fight Germanys naval bat
ties. but as deliberate act of reprisal for
British injuries TO American trade.
One sees without difficulty the position of
the Southern cotton planter. For him the
situation is critical There remains in
Southern warehouses a great unsold re-
mainder OF last years cotton crop, and the
new crop is shortly TO be harvested Ii Brit
ain is permitted to forbid the sale OF this
cotton 10 Holland and Scandinavia as well
as TO Germany and Austria, the plce OF the
staple Will fall again, and the planter will
suffer grievously
Despite our sympathy for our own people
OF the South, We can find no valid objection
70 the action OF the British government in
declaring cotton conditional contraband Cot
ton enters so largely into the manufacture
OF modern explosives that 1t is necessary for
heNgerent, when possible through lawful
means, 20 prevent il falling into the hands of
the enemy. Under like circumstances. we
beleTe this government would apply TO cot
ton and 10 other articles OF conditional con-
iraband the doctrine OF continuous voya &c
and ultimate destination" England is within
her rights, We think in taking measures TO
satisfy herself that cotton consigned TO Hol-
iahd or Norway is not, in fact. destined for
Hermany, but she should not be permitted on
inns ground or with this excuse to stop all
bona fde neutral shipments of this great
staple OF American commerce.
AS to American mportations OF German
products for use in the industries the situa-
tlon is even clearer. These are being sent
from Germany through neutral countries and
England is Selling them wheg they reach the
nigh seas. This constitutes a form OF block
ade or neutral coasts for which there is no
warrant in international law.
Whether the United States will retaliate in
the manner suggested depends on England
Ihere is no doubt that the injury to the a lies
would be great and, though America suffer
herself in the process, the final step if il he.
came wise and necessary, would not be
hinched. The allies Will be exceedingly fool
ish II they continue 10 ALLEVIATE American
sympathy and needlessly, wantonly<and nm
lawfully hamper American trade