Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-05
Drastic Action on British
Mail Seizures May Create
Diplomatic Crisis.
TARIFF QUESTION UP
Webb Bill Permitting Col
lective Selling Agencies
On Today's Calendar.

Washington, Sept. An amend
ment to the revenue bill, author
izing the president during a war
in which the United States is not
engaged, TO withhold clearance
from all vessels which discriminate
against American shippers; to
withhold privileges from ships of
such nations as withhold privileges
accorded to other nations from
American ships, and TO use the
army and navy, If necessary, to
prevent departure of offending YES
sells from United States ports, was
adopted today by the senate.
Washington, Sept. 5.-Under an
agreement 10 take a final vote before
adjournment tonight the senate con-
tinued work today on the emergency
revenue bill.
Passage of the bill will virtually
clear the way for adjournment of con-
gress not later than Thursday.
Adjournment at p. N. Wednesday is
provided for in a joint resolution al
ready prepared by the democratic lead
ers
The senate yesterday sustained IS to
T the administration plan to impose
increased tariff duties on dyestufs at
the end of the European war.
Only two proposals remained to be
disposed of today before final action
on the revenue measure itself. One
would create a tariff commission and
the other would embody the Webb bill
TO permit the formation of American
collective selling agencies abroad.
Aimed at Mail Seizures.
An amendment to the revenue bill
by Senator Phelan of California was
adopted authorizing the president, by
proclamation, TO deny the use of the
mails, express, telegraph, wireless or
cable facilities to citizens of nations
which do not accord 10 Americans all
facilities of commerce. including the
unhampered traffic in the mails" This
amendment. ii was declared, was
aimed particularly at British interior
ence with American mails.
The Chamberlain amendment pro-
hibiting admission Of halibut and sal
man into the United States except
when in bond from an American port,
also was adopted. The amendment is
directed against Canadian fisheries on
the Pacific and TO urge development Of
American fisheries there.
An amendment to the tariff commits
sion section by Senator Gallinger was
adopted broadening the commission 5
powers so that it shall observe the eff
iect Of tariff laws on industry and
labor and also observe the effect of
economic alliances" An amendment
by Senator Sterling directing the
commission 20 investigate particularly
the cost Of production here and abroad
was rejected.
May Bring Allied Protest.
Drastic amendments to the revenue
OIL striking at the allied blacklist and
British interference with American
mails, were adopted today by the SEN
ate and created CONSERVATION among
tne diplomatic representatives Of the
allies.
In allied quarters 1t was declared
that the enactment of the am endments
INTO law constitute nothing less than
hon-intercOurse act, preliminary TO
. commercial warfare, with possibil-
Nes OF far reaching consequences.
Until the retaliatory amendments
become law with the presidents sig
nature, the allies technically have
Aotn1ng to protest about, but there arc
assurances that representations Will
pe made il the amendments remain in
.ne Dill. Inasmuch as the government
sSd decided on a course Of legislation
70 meet the restraints on commerce
which diplomatic correspondence has
peen unable 10 remove, it is generally
expected the amendments would be
put through. The administration lead
els who have intimate connections
with the governments foreign policy
made no attempt to stay their adop-
ton.
Danish Treaty Reported.
The treaty for purchase of the Dan
lSh West Indies for $25,000,0 900 was or
eered fayorably reported TO the senate
.ooay by the foreign relations commit
zee by unanimous vote of senators
present II will be reported later TO-
gay and an effort made TO have il rati-
Aea before adjournment of congress.
Filibuster Webb Bill.
Administration leaders said late to-
cay that Senators LaFollette, republ
an and Reed, democrat, had forced
=, nen to abandon hope of passing the
'nebD bill TO permit American cOllec-
i've agencies in foreign countries