New-York tribune., 1916-07-20
Blacklist Gives PreSi-
dent Chance to Take
Firm Stand.
WHOLE ATTITUDE
SHOWS A CHANGE
Administration No Longer
Content to Limit Action
to Protests.
Irrom NE Trihune Bureau.

Washington, July l9.-Technically
the United States cannot protest the
British blacklist of American firms
published yesterday in London. Gov
ernment officials admitted that much
to-day.
Yet this further step in interference
with American commerce already has
had a political effect that will go far
toward ofsetting whatever advantage
the British NAV derive from the exer-
else of their right.
In the last two days there has been
complete change in the Administra-
tion's attitude toward Great Britain.
From a condition Of protesting toler-
alton" as the Germans describe the
Presidents course. the United States
has been reused by a series OF pin
pricks to the necessity of taking a
strong stand on what it regards as
British infringement Of its rights.
England has gone too far. Admins
traton officials declare. with the result
that she is on the point of becoming
involved in an issue that will be as
embarrassing TO her as the U-boat con-
troversy was to Germany.
Lansing Studying Case.
Secretary Lansing. while on his va
cation, is studying the case against
Great Britain. This includes, in ad-
clifton to the British reply oD~S the
blockade delivered on April "a. and
10 which the United States has not yet
made answer-the protest on the seiz-
urc of American mails and British e1-
tension Of the contraband list
In all the protests to Britain since
the beginning Of the war, it was point
ed out to-day, the United States has
made no progress. Invariably Ameri-
can complaints have been received with
the greatest courtesy, and promises Of
relief have been made. and in many
instances individual redress has been
granted. The settlement with Chicago
hackers and the Wilhemina case are
examples. But all these have been
purely informal. Polite and trm, as II
10 sugarcoat the pnl, the British have
made no Concessions whatever TO
the American government
Even in questions like the holding up
of Red Cross supplies destined for
- tLa Mates
has only a humanitarian interest. the
Stete Department has been equally
helpless in assailing the Britisn BAN
This situation has ranked consider
ably with an Administration already
sensitive on its foreign policies. But
while the controversy with Germany
lasted the President felt 1t better not
TO complicate one issue with another.
especially as Berlin made constant ef-
forts to confuse the issues.
Obstacles to Settlement.
Even after the settlement Of the
U-boat issue, Germany made impos-
sible any immediate action on the
blockade by the implication that her
own surrender was so conditioned.
Mexico and the political conventions
next combined TO prevent an account
ing with Great Britain.
Now, the extension of the trading
with the enemy" act until, as officials
declared to-day, it amounts to wide
restraint of American commerce has
presented fresh reason for dealing
with Great Britain. The British For
eign Office has given the President
the very opening he sought.
With his Administration on the de-
fensive before the Hughes campaign,
one Of the weak spots in the Presi-
dents armor has been his failure in
dealing with the British blockade. In
deed, in the opinion of Senator who
is perhaps one of the shrewdest polit-
icai judges in Washington, this is like
ly TO have a silent influence that will
outweigh all the hysteria of "hyphen"
Continued on page 2. column