Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-19
BLACKL|ST|NG WILL HURT
OUR TRADE WITH ORIENT
Great Britain's Action Regarded rs
Attempt to Stine Germany
Indirectly.
MANY FIRMS ARE AFFECTED
State Department Will Give Matter
Careful Consideration and May
Decide to Make Vigorous Protest.
Oflicial Expresses His Views.

WASIIlNGTON, July 1S.-Englands
reason for hlacklisting seventy or
eighty American firms under the
tradinS-with the enemy act was be-
cause she was hard pressed under the
law In attempting 20 sufocate Ger
inah?, ana has undertaken to accom-
pilSh indirectly what she could not do
directly. This statement WAS made to-
day by an official OF tile state Depart
mcnt.
England has boon trying various de-
vices and finally has discovered one
which meets her desire. and success
fully evadcs the law in the opinion Of
this official. lie said:
Great Britain does not say to Amer
ican nfhs which have been trading. or
have been thought to bc trading, with
the enemy that they shall not be per.
United longer TO do so. but that Eng
lish firms situated within English
Jurisdiction and subject TO English
jurisdiction shall not trade with the
enemy.
This is restriction placed on the
freedom oi trade OF English firms. but.
IN its effect. 1t reaches. as il is de-
signed TO reach. American firms"
The significance OF the new order
it was declared. is urcater than was
supposed AZ first. II embraces steam
ship lines al, we'll az commercial houses.
and Great Britain. having the carrying
trade of tn" world. will operate not
only against American business firms
but against the great steamship lines
OF Holland and Scandinavia as we'll
WOULD REDUCE OUR
COMMERCE. IN ORIENT
Officials declared tonight that tho
application Of the now rule forbiddins
British subjects from trading with
American firms OF supposed German
connections would materially reduce
American commerce in the Orient. Es-
pccially Will /; affect the trade OF
many American firms with numerous
ports in the Far East and such far
away markets as Australia and India
II was pointed out that many Brit
ish Columbia firms had been doing
large business with American firms
coming under. the ban. ii was saii
an examination OF the list after it is
published probably will reveal that
most Of them are innocent of trading
with Germany since the war began.
II is declared that England is taking
advantage of an extraordinary oppor-
tuniiy To drive American business out
Of the Orient.
State Department officials will give
this phase of the question careful con-
sidera ton and IL the application OF
the rule is found to be rcjudiciaI to
the legitimate interests OF American
citizens. IL is declared, a vigorous pro-
test Will be made to Great Britain.
II was indicated tonight that Con-
Crcss would demand action by the gov
crnmcnt and that If protests were un-
aNatling, retaliation would be author
lied by Congress. In congressional
circles il was limited that Great Brit
ain may be acting in the interest of
japanese commerce, and that the blow
AZ United States trade with China and
other oriental countries is the first
concrete development of the new
policy decided upon by the allies under
the inspiration Of England a the Paris
Economic Conference.