The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-14
The British Parliamentary
 Under Secretary Says Staple May Be Declared
 Contraband by England
REMOVING COTTON !. FROM FREE LIST IS
 LEGAL, HE CONTENDS
Great Britain Admits Seri-
 Ousness of Situation and Says Final Solution of the Problem Not Yet Reached
LORD ROBERT CECIL

London, August 13.-(7:15 p. m.) Lord Robert Cecil, parliamentary under secretary for foreign affairs, in formal interview today, defining the British governments attitude in the cotton situation, made this state ment:
 "The allies must by all lawful means prevent cotton reaching their enemies; it may be considered neces- sary to make cotton contraband." At the same time Lord Cecil re- trained from any hint that the com modity would be removed from the free list at any specific date or that the government had evolved any solution to meet the demands of American cot ton growers and neutral consumers. He said explicitly. however, that if cotton were made contraband, England would consider the act legal and interna- tionally justified.
 The statement, being the first in be- half of the government outside Parla- ment relating to cotton and coming at time when the public is clamor- Iing for drastic action to shut. off the supply from Germany. is taken in some quarters to presage this step in the Rsnear future Lord Cecils statement, < which is prefaced with the explanation that it describes the governments po- l sitIon concerning cotton "so far as it is at the moment possible to define it, follows:
 Considering Question 'The British government, acting in conjunction with it's allies, is giving the cotton situation it's continuous and most earnest considerations The gov ernment is fully aware of the import ance of cotton to America. We fully understand that upon satisfactory adjustment of the matter depends to a considerable degree the welfare of nearly a quarter of the population of the United States. The welfare of the W hole population of Great Britain, however, also is involved as we'll as that of all Great Britain's allies, for ] whom the British government is acting I lin these and other matters concerning contraband trade.
 "The fundamentals of the situation \ are quite clear. The allies must by Hall lawful means prevent cotton reach s|ling their enemies That is a vital mli- 5Itary necessity which all the world will recognize.
 "At the same time. and equally inn s sllportant consideration must be given Tito a great cotton producing country Hike America and to consuming coun- \ iltries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark
 and Holland A policy must be de-
 ! vsed which will respect the legiti-
 s l,nate rights of neutrals and yet safe &euard the legitimate interests of the Alallies and inflict as much damages as
 ulpossible upon our enemies.
 M Cotton has not yet been declared but under our blockade all
 NlIcotton which is believed to be destined Ifor Germany is stopped It may be lllconsidered necessary to make cotton Illcontraband. There is a demand in the '| allied countries that this should be ,l|done There is assuredly ample justi- iIfication for the action if it is deemed Unnecessary
 II Essential Ingredients
 lt "Cotton is very important, an es- illsential ingredient in fact of propulsion Copper is contraband by
 Hail the laws of the nations and yet in
 II the present war cotton has been shown \ to be more important than copper.
 lllThere may be a substitute for copper
 Hin making munitions of war. For cot ! ton there is no known substitute. If II American cotton goes through to Ger l, many the Germans use it to kill allied Il soldiers. Therefore, cotton must not N go to Germany.
 M Making cotton contraband would !. be distinctly legal action and can be internationally justified beyond pro Itest. So far as American cotton Is concerned. however. the problem des- fcorttnued on Pare TweIve)