The Washington times., 1915-07-08
Complaints That NeutraIs Get
Products Through Britain
Reach State Department.
FAILS TO GET EVIDENCE
Diplomatic Maneuver to Prevent
America From Growing
Commercially Is Seen.

TRY with neutTdlS, Is ie-SNPoi''' W
neutrals the very products which she
will not permit America to send to those
countries are reaching the State Depart
ment.
These complaints have been more or
less current since the British order
in council. 1t developed today that the
State Department some time ago set
on foot an investigation to determine
whether the complaints were we'll
founded.
It has been found impossible by the
department to obtain such evidence as
to establish fully the truth of the COM
plants.
But enough has come to liGht to
indicate that in Mt least some lines of
trade the complaints have basis.
The question which is raised Is
whether, with its customary acumen
and g-headedness, British diplomacy.
backed by the enginery of the British
government, Is on the one hand shutting
off the trade of the world with Germany
and Austria, while at the same time
maneuvering to prevent America from
growing too great commercially.
Convinced of Policy.
The belief that England has set out
on such a policy is pronounced In many
quarters in this country. Many Ameri-
can exporters and importers. who have
found themselves UP against stone
wall in their efforts to get around the
British order-in-council, have become
convinced of II. They have in some
cases gone to the State Department
with their troubles.
The matter became serious enough
some weeks ago so that Solicitor Cone
johnson, at the instance of the Secre-
taryA had an investigation made. on the
subject Of re-exportation by England Of
goods to neutrals which this country
finds itself barred from sending to
them.
The result of the inquiry was In
effect to leave the ease" mot
proven"
This has not, however, served to end
tho complaints or to remove the feeling
on the part of American commercial
interests that England is quietly doing
what she can to block the commercial
expansion of the United States:
For obvious reasons she does not want
to find, when the present war ends,
after her Herculean efforts to strike
down Germany. that another and a
Agreater commercial rival has arisen on
this side Of the Atlantic.
Congress to Take Hand.
without question. if the war goes on
until next winter. this subject of Eng
lish interference with American trade,
not solely for the purpose of blockading
Germany and Austria, but for the pur-
pose of preventing England from losing
her grip on the worlds trade, is going to
be freely aired in Congress.
American exporters and importers
have poured their grievances into the
ears Of members of House and Senate
freely, and on the part of these mem
bers there is a growing sentiment that
England ought to be forced to modify
the order in council.
But notes of protest from this Gov
ernment are not expected to do It.
One high authority of the Govern
ment said today there was only one
way to bring England to terms. This
Nns not by writing notes. but by
clothing the President with the
power to embargo arms and nmmu-
milton.
Whether Congress. however, will
grant such authority is extremely
doubtful, despite the provocation. The
simple reason why it is doubtful is that
the value of the arms and munitions
business which this country is doing is
greater than the value of the products
which England Is holding up.
However. there is possibility that
the Southern Senators and Congressman
next winter will be driven to take
drastic measures In Congress because
crop.
Serious for South.
This situation next winter promises
to be serious. perhaps grave. The new
cotton crop will be ready for market ir
Co.
tember. The South has sold most oi
last years crop of cotton. but the indi
cations are the market for the forth
coming crop will be extremely poor:
In that case. there will be insisten
demand for relief from the South an,
emphatic calls for England to let cot
ton move freely to neutral countrie
and also to Germany and Austria.
Besides, there Is specific evidence 1,
the case OF cotton that Great Britain
is quietly distributing some of tn,
American cotton which she Is seizinl
and keeping away from Germany (,
her allies aud even TO neutrals.
In the case of cotton, the evidenc
that Great Britain Is holding up car
goes for the double purpose Of Gripping
Germany and hurting American trad
IL more clear than as to any othe
American product.
Has Re-expOrted Cotton.
Consul General Skinner at London ha
submitted a report which proves this
1t shows that the amount of cottOl
imported by Great Britain from thi
country. including seized cotton. ha
grown greatly In 1915 as compared wit
1914. On the other hand, Great Britai
since January l. 1915, has heavily re
exported cotton, chiefly to Russis
Sweden and Netherlands, with smalle
quantities TO France and Portugal. Pal
of the re-eNportations are American
cotton.
III our cotton Il to go to the neu
tral countries, we prefer TO sell
direct" said n state Department of
hrIul today.
England has been doing a large bust
ness. too. in re-exportation OF copper