The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22
BRITAIN DECLARES
COTTON CONTRABAND
In Issuing Declaration London
Promises Efforts to Re-
licve Depression.
ACTION BY FRANCE TO-DAY
Two Governments Are En-
pccted to Make Extensive
Purchases in America.
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LONDON. Aug. 21.-The British Gov
ernment placed cotton on the contraband
list to-day. France will follow with sim
liar action tomorrow. No declaration
OF the sort Is expected from Russia. II
is possible that Italy may join in thC
action against cotton at later date
In announcing the decision to place
cotton on the contraband list the For
eign Office issued the following bulletin
The Government has declared cot
ton absolute contraband. While the
circumstances might have justified
such action at an earlier period the
Government Is glad to think that local
conditions both here and In America
are more favorable for such step
now than they were year ago.
The Government contemplates the
imitation of measures TO relieve, as
far as possible. any abnormal depres-
sion which might momentarily disturb
market conditions.
The supplement to to-day's Lon ior
gazette contains the text of a roya
proclamation adding to the list Of ar.
ticles to be treated Us contraband raw
cottons cotton linters. cotton waste and
cotton yarns.
The Government has placed cottor
among the contraband articles only
after months OF hesitancy and after a
violent press campaign. Various mem.
bers of the Cabinet have been bitterly
assailed during the propaganda and il
has more than once been declared By
leading scientists that the Governments
procrastination respecting cotton ha.
permitted Germany to manufacture ex.
piosives which had cotton been with.
held por: ;ha; country would have beer
out of tne question.
In its declaration no hint is supplied
regarding the methods to be pursued IN
protecting the cotton industry IL
America. but IL is said that all possible
measures will be taken to prevent
abnormal depression in market condi.
tions Some scheme is to be adopte eo
cording to the best available informa
tion. but Just what this scheme vii
involve cannot be stated at present. II
is not improbable that 1t will take tn,
form of extensive purchases OF cottor
In America by the British and French
Governments acting jointly.
At least IL can be- stated positively
that the Government intends to make al
earnest effort against any interference
with the legitimate cotton trade of neu.
trail countries. In the past. under the
ruling of the order in council. II was
the Governments policy to stop only
Gotten suspected OF an enemy destina.
ton. This policy will he pursued. with
England either bought the cotton or re,
turned II, all cotton cargoes may now
be coniiscated. In fact under the new
declaration not only such cargoes but
the ships carrying them as we'll II sus-
pected OF enemy destination may be con-
fiscated by the Government.
In other words. the Government nc
longer proposes to give cotton exporters
gambling chance of sending theii
article to Germany. Heretofore II sucl
exporters failed to get their cargoe.
through to "A neutral country from which
the cargoes might easily he exported &c
Germany 1t was certain that the cottor
either would he returned TO them oi
purchased by Great Britain.
Through the cooperation of cotton eX-
porters the Government is supposed tC
he arranging a list OF cotton importers
in Scandinavian countries who may b,
relied upon not to export their consgn'
ments to Germany.