The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-31
10 Threats of Reprisals f r
Arbitrary Interference With
Neutral Trade
INSISTS ON RIGHTS
OF AMERICAN TRADERS
Office Served This Govern
ment Will Not Consent to
Condemnation of Neutral
Tr1e or Without Hearing


waShington. July 3o--The State De-
rtment today gave out the text of
note TO Great Britain .aasailang the
atish black list as an arbitrary in
ference with neutral trade. No de-
Ands are made and there is no threat
reprlSals. The note confines itself
cond esnnfng the attempt of a belli
rent power TO inture or abbreV1ate
. rights of American citizens.
II was made plain at the State De-
.rtment today that no present con-.
Iteration will be given preliminary
Burances BY the British am bassador
|asgned to show that the black list
not aimed at neutrais and IL not in
nded TO take on the form Of a sec
dairy boycott by striking innocent
utralx who deal with black listed
rsons or firms. What the United
htes insists on is a reply on the prtn-
ple. for which i; holds there is no
cal or moral justification.
The note charges Great Britain with
Hiking British steamship companies
a cocrc4ng neutral steamship COM
MES to refuse transportation OF
,ck- listed goods. and similarly CO.
hing neutral merchants and bankers
boycott Arms on the Nzack list
1.-The United States insists on the
hit Of its citizens 10 trade with ma
ms now at war. subject to regu-
ions and penalties for breaches Of
rules The note serves notice that
a government will nor consent 70
y power or group Of powers 10 alter
extend these privileges and con
mn neutral traders without hearing
"a In advance
Text OF iitr Note, =
The Acting Secretary OF State 10
nbassador w. n. Page:
fTelegran-}
Department OF State,
Washington, p. G. July IS. 1915,
You are instructed TO deliver TO Sir
ward Grey a formal note on the
.tuaily as follows:
THE announcement that His
htannic Majesty's government has
heed the names Of certain persons.
ms and corporations in the United
Ates upon a proscriptive black list,
4 has forbidden all financial or COM
rcial dealings between them and cit
ns Of Great Britain has been re-
yea with the most painful surprise
the people and government of the
tied States, and seems To the gov
Ament Of the United States to en-
~ a policy Of arbitrary interior
- with neutral trade, against which
A it's duty to protect In tho most
tided terms
The scope and effect OF the policy
extraordinary. British steamship
npanies will not accept cargoes from
prescribed firms or persons or
nsport their goods to any port, and
emship lines under neutral owner
understand that II they accept
ieht from them they are likely to
denied coal at British ports and ex-
ded from other privileges which
y have usually enjoyed. and may
mseIves be put upon the black list.
utral bankers refuse loans to those
the list and neutral merchants de-
ae to contract for their goods fear
like prescription. 1t appears
q British officials regard the pro-
it;ons OF the black list as appIi-
,le to domestic commercial trans
ions In foreign countries as well as
Great Britain and her dependencies,
Americans doing business In for
countries have been put on no.
that their dealings with black
ed firms are to be regarded as sub
to veto by the British government.
the same principle Americans in
United States might be made sub
to similar punitive action IL they
Re found dealing with any OF their
Il countrymcn whose names had
been listed.
Jn1cscrved Injury to 0Americnns
The harsh and even disastrous eff
IL Of this policy upon the trade of
United States and upon the neu-
rights upon which It will not fail
insist are obvious, Upon the List OF
se prescribed. and in effect shut out
N the general commerce of the
I'd may be found American con-
ms which are engaged. in large
nmercfal operations as importers of
etgn products and materials and AZ
kr1butors Of American products and
nufactures to foreign countries
which constitute important chan
y through which American trade
ches the outside world. Their for
afYlhations may have been fos-
"a for many years and when once
ken cannot easily or promptly Be
Established.
bother concerns may be put upon
liBt at any time and without no.
1t 10 understood that additions
tho prescription may be made
encver on account OF enemy ma
iaiity or enemy association OF such
ions or bodies of persons II ap-
- 20 fz1s Majesty expedient to do
1ne o4 bilst4es Of undsserved
ILL SlI $3.50 YNsassl
ssis M sG I'll e ~ 81 TN Ss ss