New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-07
Washington Fears New
Controversy of Far
reaching Effect.
NO CHANGE IN ALLIES
POLICY, IS THREAT
Friction to Continue Until
State Department Out
lines Its Course.
Iron The Tribuns Bureau J


Washington, Sept. 6.-As result OIL
the adoption of the amendments 10 the
revenue bill empowering the president
TO retaliate against interference with
American commerce, official Washing
tom believes tonight that the Admin
istration is on the threshold OF fresn
diplonatic controversy with Great
Britain which may be of most farreach-
ing consequence.
Developments on the first day fol-
lowing the acceptance of the amend
ments, with the disclosure that they
had State Department support, were
not reassuring. The Administration
threat was met promptly by assertions
in Allied quarters that there would be
no change in Entente policy, and that
ADOPTION of reprisals by the American
government might lead to counter
measures. Already considerable fric-
ton is evident, which will not be les
sened until the State Department indi-
Gates how far it purposes to go.
That no hasty action is contemplated
was the assertion of State Department
officials to-day. The Administration
does not consider that it has yet ex-
hausted all it's weapons in dealing with
the Entente powers, and particularly
with England. Until this is done. II
was indicated, the reprisal power will
be held in reserve. officials were not
reluctant to admit, however, that
Americas power of eXacting respect for
her rights had been greatly increased
by possession OF the weapon.
Britain TO Have Time to Act.
Great Britain will receive an oppor-
tunity to reply TO the mail protest of
last February, to which nothing but
preliminary answer has been received;
she will also have time TO defend the
blacklist and to advance other argu-
ments in support of the blockade and
the Orders in Council, which the
American government has failed to rec
ognize. These communications her
final brief must be received during
the coming month, 1t is understood.
At the end of that time the govern
ment will consider itself free to adopt
such measures as il sees fit to enforce
the observance Of American rights.
Despite the declarations here that the
Allies would not yield any Of the rights
which they regard as essential TO final
victory over Germany, it is believed
there will be substantial notifications
of policy rather than risk a straining
of relations with the United States.
Much of this belief, it is understood, is
an outgrowth of the recent reports of
Ambassadors Page and Sharp to Secre-
tary Lansing on conditions in England
and France.
In England, the State Department
has been informed, there has been
powerful opposition to the govern
ment's course in dealing with neutrals.
particularly the United States. Many
influential English Liberals, together
with such leading journals as "The
London Times" "The Statesman" and
"The Economist" have declared the
trade restrictions on neutrals, notably
the mail censorship and the blacklist,
stupid and calculated to do more harm
than good.
England Expected TO Relent.
Faced with the possibility Of con-
certed action on the part Of the non
belligerent powers along the lines
adopted by the United States, it is be-
lieved the British government will con-
sent 10 greater freedom for neutral
commerce and lessened restrictions on
mails. No concessions, however. are
expected on the blockade or the admis-
sion of supplies to Germany.
Responsibility on President.
By the adoption Of the Thomas and
Phelan amendments, it is said, Con-
gress has put upon the President en-
tire responsibility for failure to en-
force the observance of American
rights. II is held that conditions might
easily come about to subject the rela-
tons Of the two states TO serious
strain.
Evidence to this end is already seen
in the activities of the tobacco inter
ests in Washington. Instrumental in
having the amendments introduced,
they have now set about to use them
as levers in prying open the European
markets. Not merely do they object
to the British ban on tobacco exports
to Holland and Scandinavian coun-
tries. but they question the right of
the British government TO bar it from
English markets. Their plan of attack
had been carefully laid, when Germany
shattered it by announcing her pro-