The Washington times., 1915-03-16

Shere is n special session of Congress
there can be no actual reprisals by
this Government in the way of an
embargo or embargoes for months at
most.
II is the apparent purpose of the
British government in shutting on
American trade with Germany to see
that as far as possible American ship
pers get pay for their cargoes. In
this way, the clamor for reprisals In
the United States may be lessened.
Solution Not In Sight.
Secretary Bryan before the Cabinet
met today gave no indication of what
the policy of this Government would
be. Nor would Counselor Lansing.
The first thing the state Department
and the President will do Is to study
the order in council and find out
just exactly what it means and what
will be it's probable effect.
In so far as the English reply to the
proposals of this country that food
be allowed to reach German civilians
If Germany will abandon her sub
has given the proposals negative
answer. This note, like the order in
council, is in harmony with the plan
and purpose of the allies to isolate
and starVe out Germany and Austria.
Situation Is Serious.
n is recognized here that serious
situation is created, but on the other
hand the ability of the United States
and other neutrals to remedy that fit
uation is extremely doubtful.
1t Ia plain that the questions center
ing about the subject of neutral COM
merce are farther from settlement
satisfactory to this country than ever.
The sweeping nature of the British
order in council for the destruction of
all trade with Germany leaves no doubt
that these questions will become more
and more difficult and irritating as the
war progresses.
Under the British order cargoes des-
tined for Germany will be stopped any
where on the seas, and unless they are
diverted to British or allied ports, will
be taken into prize courts for litigation
1t is expected that the shipment of
cotton will be hampered seriously. This
is indicated by the call of senator Hoke
Smith at the white House and his dec
laration that the British order Is high
handed and utterly intolerable.'
The fact that the effect of the British
order will be to shut off supplies of dye
stuffs from Germany destined for this
country is viewed as of much moment
in the textile industry.
As To Cotton Shipments.
The State Department has issued this
statement in regard to cotton shipments
to neutral countries:
THE British embassy has received in
formation as to the construction 20 be
given to the statement in regard to -lie
shipment of cotton to neutral countries
o fdate March s.
. The date of shipment is construed as
!. being the date on which the ship left
abe port where the cotton was frst put
on board destined to neutral countries,
in cases where the contracts for sale
and freight engagements or for insur-
ance were made prior to Marcn 2. This
applies to cases whore the cotton is
placed on board at one port and tran
shipped to another. the first port gov
ernlng the date.
"Article applies to insurance placed
before March on cotton shipped to Il
neutral destination for neutral sale on
delivery. provided it is loaded before
! March 1G. and that the ship sails before
. March 81.
The term contract price means the
price at which the cotton was sold at
. the point of destination. the contract
OF sale value to control.
In cases of vessels which have sailed
since the 1st of March, and others
which sail before the shippers are able
. to submit the requisite documents for
consular certificates, the cargoes will
benefit by the arrangement If the par
ties conform with the requirements for
consular certificate at the earliest
practicable moment"