The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-14
MILITARY NECESSITY
HI IS PLEA OF BRITISH
Corton Must BE Kept Out OF Germany
and May BE soon Made Contra
hama of War.
WANTS TO HURT NEUTRALS
AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE
lord Cecil Gives Out Very Interesting
statement. In Which Nlics' View
isEs point Is Clearly Set Out

4 london. Aug. lS-I.ord Robert
1 Cecil, under secretary of foreign af-
!. fairs, outlined the policy Of Great
Britain and the Allies toward cotton
for American newspaper correspond
snts today.
ss4S Ii was a unique proceeding, the
first time that an official statement
has been delivered IN this manner dur
= ing the war and was taken to indicate
tise anxiety of The British Government
tt5 in.ress upon the United States, the
reasons why in all likelihood cotton
Is to be declared contrab band.
There was no such statement MADE
by the speaker bat this impression
was gained nv his talk.
"Thc British government acting IN
chniunction with the governments OF
her allies in the war, said Lord Cecil
s-is giving the cotton situation its most
earnest consideration. The govern
rrent is fully aware Of tho importance
of cotton to America and fully under
stands that upon d satisfactory ad-
Z sustment If the matter depends the
welfare. to a considerable degree. OK
nearly one quarter or the population
of The United States.
1.-THE welfare Of the whole popula-
ton of Great Britain is, however an
volved as well as lhat % All u ~
Allies. therefore. the government is
: acting,
4 Vital Necessity.
ssThere are other matters concern
ing contraband and trade. The funda-
mentals of the situation are quite
Vi clear The Allies must by all lawiui
yneans urevent cotton from reaching
her enemies. That is vital military
necessity all the world will recognize.
!. At. the same time equally important
X ronsia Grafton must be given to great
cation producing country like America
and TO the consuming countries nke
sweden. Norway, Denmark ana HOT
land A policy must be devised when
will respect the legitimate rights OF
the neutrals and yet safeguard me
= Legitimate interests OF our allies ana
infiict as much damage as possloie "h
psir enemies. -.
Cotton was not declared contra
sapd hut as 1t has been said oficial-
10 srnder our blockade all cotton ne
Heved TO be destined for Germany -
..onDed.i 1t may be considered neces-
aary IN make cotton contraband, There
e. y demand in the allied countries
sra+ This should be done and there
q aasnredfy ample justification Tor the
action IL In deemed necessary to'
Yon is a very important ana essehtia
ingredient, in facL Pt"p"
piosive. ana
I. "a Z .sfsonna~ Is contraband by all the
lave of nations yet in the press war
action Ia shown TO he more impor'an'
Una copper. There may be snosl-
tute for copper IN making mnnltions
or war. for cotton there is no KNOWN
Frnsubstit ute.
Use IL To Kill Soldiers.
n, Germany the Germans use IL 10 kti'
! tAa soldiers Of the allies, thereiore
rrftop- must go TO Germany. The &C,
If making cotton contraband woulo
na distinctly legal action and can
internationally be justified beyond the
possibility of protest. SO lar
American cotton is concerned we
problem of marketing II on this ~
,xo,rld undergo little change. amen
ran cotton destined for Germany IL
now stopped. If the product is MADE
roatrabau nd IL would be stopped IN me
sa-ne manner The principal differ
erace would be that If cotton were con
traband shipments from America
suspected to be for Germany. wouis
4 be seized and would be liable 20 con-
nscation by prize court procedure. Il
Iroof were obtainable of It's German
destination; whereas, cotton is now
seized but not necessarily confiscated
In any case whether cotton shall be-
come contraband or not the ailie'
must permit neutral trading in ihif
g uroduct. The American grower mus
be given their market an heotri
countries even If they are adjacent Il
Germany and the Industries of these
countries must have The cotton re-
nuired for their own needs
Must Keep 1t Out of Germany.
i NOV to permit this supply TO sc
forward and yet safeguard the inter
ests OF the allies will be to see that
none Of II goes to the enemy. We
are interested only in Keeping cotton
oat of Germany We not only do
not object TO fl going 10 neutral
countries, but we are in fact anxious
that 1t should go In order that there
arnAy he a minimum OF Inconvenience
n tosthe neutral powers, concerntd.
''1t is obvious that the loss of the
Austro-German market will near
much 10 the American cotton growers
il rand we fully realize that If there is
no Austro- German outlet the pric:
q. may go down ana Americans suffer
~ unless some means are devised in com
pensation. Proposals in that direction
s~+si1axe been made and are receivina
81 careful consideration, What will be-
come of them / cannot say at thi.
time CERTAINLY 1 am not at liberty
sS4u imply that favorable action Will by
I s1AssSn nor will not say there will not
All Americans must be fully aware
y OF she complicated and gigantic char
acfer Of a fv- $ 1eIne Of this sort end
what will be required before II
be put in operation. / hope Amert
IN sH will not he Impatient hut will res.
assured that ths governments OF the
allies will give every consideration 10
/. fhe legitimate interests of all neu.
trails