The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
BAN ON IT, s. COTTON
MAY MEAN TROUBLE
Washington Expects British
COhtraband Rule-StrOng
Protest Certain.
MIGHT HOLD MUNITIONS

WASHINGTON. Aug. 14.-Administra-
ton officials are convinced now that
Great Britain sooner or later will de-
clare cotton c~ontraband OF war. Au-
thoritative information has been re-
ceived by this Government hat the Of
ficials at London have u a proposal
under serious consideration
Washington officials believe, however,
that Great Britain will not take this
action without adopting some measure
for the relief OF the cotton producers OF
the South. The belief here Is that this
action will take the form Of some guar
antee which will act as a means Of
maintaining the stability of cotton
prices. No secret is made here of the
belief that Great Britain will feel obliged
to adopt some such course as a means
Of placating the Southern cotton planters
and members OF Congress from that Sec
ton OF the country.
l. is realized here that Great Britain
cannot AFFORD at this time to run the
risi, that would be involved in the re-
sentiment hat would sweep over the
southern States II cotton were placed
on the contraband list without some
measure of protection to the American
producers. Great Britain. according to
The Washington viewpoint. stands too
greatly in need of American munitions
OF war to add strength In this way to the
demand that will be made upon Congress
- lay an embargo upon shipments OF
ANS and ammunition from the United
States.
Form Of Relief Uncertain.
Al the same time. Washington officials
are informed. the sentiment In England
In favor OF making cotton contraband is
growing and 1t Is doubtful II the Gov
errment will be able TO tan up
against II.
VIVA, form OF relief Great Britain will
hold out TO the American cotton pro-
ducers IL not clear here. Grave doubt
Is expressed that the British Government
will ever seriously consider actually pur-
chasing the surplus cotton crop that nor
mally would go to Germany and the ad
jacent neutral countries from which II
! has been barred by Great Britain. ON
Gals here have reason. too. to doub,
whether Great Britain would attempt to
establish and maintain a minimum price
Thu opinion here is that the British will
try to adopt some course which will no,
lay them open to the charges OF mani.
pulatinS the price In favor Of the spin
ners.
II is admitted here that IL is dificult
TO see just what effective measure Grea,
Britain can take short OF purchasing the
surplus cotton crop or maintaining q
minimum price.
In regard TO the former suggestion
mary here point out that the relic.
would be temporary at best. The sur
Plus cotton would necessarily be thrown
upon the market some time. whether thi,
year or the next. and the ultimate re
suit would be TO depress prices. Accord
ing to this argument. therefore. the pur
chase OF the surplus cotton crop b,
Great Britain at the present time woul,
merely he p~ostponing the evil day 70
Z the Southern producers.
As to the actual effect OF the puttinj
OF cotton On the c~Dniraband list. prac
tically the only difference from the pres
ent situation would he tlat Great Britain
would assert her rights to confiscate o
destroy cargoes destined To ner enemies
! Under the present 5rders in council. car
goes OF cotton bound for Germany direc,
or through neutral ports. are seized b.
Great Britain, but with the understand
ing that the owners will be compensate.
for the loss.
Might Cause Retaliation.
The belief In Washington Is that Grea
Britain is now considering how she ma
use the money with which she Is meet
ing the losses under the orders in cour
ell to protect the American cotton raise
and at the same time add cotton to tn
contraband list.
The fear Is expressed in English quaI
ters here that Great Britain IL goin
to stir up a lot Of trouble for herse
over the cotton situation, whatevs
curse she adopts.
II cotton is added to the contraban
list. the United States will contest III
action vigorously, whatever measure
Great Britain may adopt for the reli'
rof American producers, This Govern
ment will make the most OF Great Bri'
aims own action In the RussO-Japanes
war. when she protested against II
action OF the Cars Government
adding cotton to the list of contraban,
As the result Of Great Britain's prote'
Russia removed cotton from the list.
Washington officials believe hat OF
consideration that IL moving Gres
Britain II the apprehension that at II
close of the war she may be assesse
heavy damages by an internation'
" court for her seizure OF a product whic
she now comedies to be ra ba I
Of war.
1t is privately admitted by Admin
lStFallOn OFFICIALS tnat IN the pfeset
temper of the South 1t might be- ve'
ic difficult at the forthcoming session
Congress to block the passing OF a bi
imposing an embargo on the shipmel
of war munitions II Great Britain shou'
asst against cotton without doing som
thing for the relief of American pr
ducers.
Already the demand for such legisl;
ton comes largely from Southern mer
bers of Congress and they are vigo
e ously supported by the German Amer
|, cans and the peace societies.
With the certainty that the cote
situation IL soon to assume a place
first Importance In our international r
~lations with England Administration q
icials are already at work on possib
domestic measures Of relief for the co
ton producers. Secretary Of the Urea
ury McAdOo already has called atte'
tion to the fact hat there is one av
nue. OF relief for the cotton planters u
der the operations Of the Federal r