Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-14
British Official Admits Right,
But Says Germans Must
Not Get Product.
HINTS AT A CONTRABAND
ORDER BY GOVERNMENT
Difficulties Surrounding ANY Plan
Cited-Hopes America Will
: Have Patience.

LONDON, August 14.-Lord Robert
Cecil, parliamentary under secretary for
foreign affairs, in the course of formal
interview defining the British govern
ments attitude in the complicated cotton
situation. makes this statement:
1.-The allies must, by all lawful means,
prevent cotton reaching their enemies; 1t
may be considered necessary to make cot
ton contra band.
At the same time Lord Cecil studiously
refrained from any hint that the COM
modify would be removed from the free
list at any specific date or that the gov
eminent had evolved any solution to meet
the demands of American cotton growers
and neutral consumers. He stated eX-
plicitly. however, that if cotton were made
rontraband England would consider the
act legal and internationally justified.
Among other things, he says:
Aware of Importance to U. S.
1.-The British government. acting in
conjunction with it's allies. is giving
the cotton situation it's continuous and
most earnest consideration. The gov
eminent is fully aware of the impor-
lance of cotton to America. We fully
understand that upon a satisfactory
adjustment of the matter depends to a
considerable degree the welfare of
the United States. The welfare of the
whole population of Great Britain.
however, also is involved. as well as
that of all Great Britains allies. for
whom the British government is acting
in these and other matters concerning
contra band and trade.
THE fundamentals of the situation
are quite clear. The allies must by all
lawful means prevent cotton reaching
their enemies. That is vital military
necessity which all the world will
recognize.
Cotton has not yet been declared
contra band. but under our blockade all
cotton which is believed to be destined
for Germany is stopped. 1t may be
contraband.
Would Be Legal Action.
Making cotton contrab band would be
distinctly legal action and can be in
ternationally justified beyond protest
So far as American cotton is concerned,
however, the problem of marketing cot
ton on this side would undergo little
change. American cotton destined for
Germany is now stopped. If the prod
uct were made contraband. it would be
stopped in the same manner. The prin-
cipal difficulty would be that if cotton
were contraband. shipments from
America, which were suspected of be-
ing for Germany, would be seized and
would be liable to confiscation by prize
court procedure if proof were obtain
able OF German destination, whereas
now the cotton is seized. but not neces-
sarily confiscated.
Must Permit Neutral Trading.
I'm any case. whether cotton is con-
traband or not, the allies must permit
neutral trading in this product Ameri-
can growers must be given their mar
ket in neutral countries even il they
are adjacent to Germany, and the in
dustries of those countries must have
the cotton required for their own needs
How to permit this supply to move for
ward and yet safeguard the allies in
terests by making sure that none of it
Will go to the enemy constitutes a
complicated problem of great dimen-
sions.
1T is obvious what the loss of Ger
man and Austrian markets will mean
TO American cotton growers. We fully
realize that if there is no German
down. and that Americans will suffer
unless some means are devised for
compensation.
Proposals Are Considered.
Proposals in that direction have
been made and are receiving careful
consideration. What will come of
them ! cannot say at this time. Ger
tainly ! am not at liberty to imply
that favorable action will be taken, nor
will I say that it will not
All Americans must be fully aware
Of the complicated and gigantic
character of any scheme of this sort
and the study it will require before
being put into operation. / hope
America will not be impatient, but will
rest assured that the governments Of
the allies will give every consideration
to the legitimate interests of all
neutrals."
Manchester Is Stirred.
The Manchester, England, correspondent
Of the Morning Post sends the following
dispatch
"A report that the government war
trade committee is about to restrict the
export of cotton piece goods on the ground
that they may reach the enemy through
neutral countries has caused excitement
in trade circles
The Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Is negotiating with the committee in an
endeavor to limit the restrictions to GER
tain markets abroad. The manufacturers
want to keep the markets open in India.
China and other countries not contiguous
to the enemy.
Tho order is expected next week. and
traders are anticipating a congestion of
products"