The Washington herald., 1916-01-21
Hoke Smith and the Cotton Market.

Hoke Smith and the Cotton Market.
No one can say that Senator Hoke Smith. of
Georgia, is not opportunist. At the very mo-
bhty of proelaiming an actual blockade of the
neutral ports of Europe, he rises in the Senate to
make few remarks calculated to aid them in
reaching conclusion. Very likely his address in
the Senate yesterday denouncng interference
with commerce with neutral nations unlaw-
ful and unwarranted, is already the subject of dis
eusson in the foreign offices of London and Paris,
in connection with the perfection of plans to Keep
out OF Germany the supplies of foodstufs and
cotton going to her from the United States
through neutral ports.
Senator Smith processes to be actuated by a
desire to enlarge the European markets for the
cotton crop of the South Reliable statistics re-
Gently published show that in 1913 the United
States sent to Germany and the European coun-
tries now neutral I,223ooo bales of cotton, while
in 1915 exports to the same countries amounted to
100000 bales, the difference being that in 1913
the neutrals took only $4,000 bales, while in 1915
their importations amounted to 100000 bales.
Now, if Senator Smith were sincere in his solici-
tude for the cotton markets abroad or if he were
should be satisfied with this wartime increase in
cotton exports, that he should realize the wisdom
of leaving we'll enough alone. Instead he takes
the floor of the Senate to complain of the inter
ference with commerce. at the moment when he
knows the powers in control of the are con-
sidering the only remedy they possibly apply
for the conditions against which he protests-the
proclamation of actual blockade, blockade that
they may not be able to make legally effective,
but which only result in prolonged negotiations
and adjudication after the war;, in all likelihood.
And in the meantime what will happen to the
European market for the South's cotton in 1916.
Shall be able to sell more or less there than in
1915, when our exports exceeded those of 1918?
Senator Smith told the Senate that he had re-
ceived information from a named Bible
which he naturally regarded gospel truth-that
Germany had developed process for using wood
pulp as cheaper and more effective substitute
for cotton in the manufacture of explosives, and
that Germany has not used cotton in the
facture of war munitions for more than eight
months. But in spite Of the large quantity of cot
ton that must have reached Germany through neu-
trail ports last year she has standing order in
this country for 100000 bales at very high
price. Senator Smith may be very anxious indeed
to see these million bales go through to Germany
direct even if she doesn't want them for the man
ufacture of explosives; but in devoting his energies
toward forcing the allies to adopt more effective
blockade measures he appears to have assumed the
role of the dog with the bone in his mouth who
his reflection in the water.
What the Georgia statesman hopes to accom-
plish is impossible to discover. He certainly can
not imagine that through his efforts the allies will
modify their present restrictions. 1t is far more
reasonable to assume that his outbursts in the
Senate have contributed in some measure toward
the formulating abroad of policy in dealing
with commerce that will have stronger claim
on our recognition and acquiescence. And it is
for this that the South will have to thank him.
And with it all it is significant that while the
Senator is so greatly exercised over his cotton
bales his silence the subject of the dead babies
of the Lusitana remains unbroken.