New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-06
Two Drastic Amend
ments Passed by
Unanimous Vote.
HIT AT BLACKLIST
AND MAIL SEIZURE
Wilson Given Power to
Shut Off Telegraph
and Stop Ships.
tFron m, Tribune Bureau

Washington. Sept. Measures OF
reprisal against the Entente Allies
that threaten serious international
complications passed the Senate to-day
with the full approval of the State
Department. The President is EN-.
powered, in two amendments to the
revenue bill. to retaliate against the
so-called blacklist of the British and
French governments and against inter.
ferences with the mails.
Diplomatic circles, particularly those
favorable TO the Entente, were deeply
stirred when it became known Presi.
dent Wilson had given his approval to
these measures and that Secretary
Lansing had been consulted as to their
language. II is held the measures give
the President the power to use illegal
weapons against the Allies. The cx-
ercise OF this power to its full extent
it is declared, would lead to long and
bitter trade war.
There was virtually no opposition to
the passage Of the amendments in the
Senate. No rollcalls were taken. Dem
ocrats and Republicans alike acqui'
esced in what some diplomats char
acterize as a "preelection twisting OF
the lions tail"
Refuses Clearance to Ships.
The two amendments we're proposed
by Senators Thomas, of Colorado. and
Phelan, of California. One provides
that the President may withhold clear
ance from vessels that discriminate
against any American citizen or firm
or particular description Of traffic, and
NAV withhold clearance from one or
more vessels of any nation that re-
stricts the commerce of American ships
or citizens.
This means not only that Great Brit
ain and France may be struck at be
cause of their blacklists and theif
blockade measures, but that reprisalS
may be conducted against shipping
companies that carry certain commod
tiles, as, for example, munitions, IT
preference TO others.
The Phelan amendment, regarded al
even more dangerous IN It's posslbili
ties enables the President to deny tht
use of the United States mails, tele'
graphs, cables, wireless and express
service TO British and French subjects
or firms il their governments persist II
any measures restricting American
mails or trade.
The action the Allied government:
will TAX has not been decided on yet
and PROBABLY will depend on the appll
cation of the law and not on its mere
enactment. Foreign governments, 1t Is
believed, can go no further than e
warn the United States OF the conse
ouences of carrying out these meas
ures until some act is committed.
Diplomats Watch President.
The practical certainty that thu
House will adopt the amendments has
centred attention on the President. Th'
Allied and neutral diplomats are watch
ing TO see what use he will make o.
the power he has asked OF Congress;
1t is considered possible in diplo
matte quarters that the measures arr
intended for political effect only, il
which case there will be no ground FOL
forma, protest. But some of the dam
age has already been done. it is said
The effect on the British and French
governments of this new stand Of th'
Presiden. and Congress of the UniteC
States is expected to be deep.
"Englishmen and Frenchmen viii
ask" a diplomat said, "why the United
Continued on page 3. column