The sun., 1916-09-08
Entente Diplomats Look for
Years of Commercial
Warfare.
BRITISH ENVOY TO-.
SEE WILSON TO-DAY
May Bring Up Likelihood Of
~Anti-American Feeling
in Europe.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7.-Sir Cecil
4pring- Rice, British Ambassador. had
another conference with Secretary Ian.
sins to-day. and has arranged for a ON
ference with the President tomorrow.
THE direct object Of his visit to the White
House IL to present the reply Of King
George to the Presidents recent circular
letter concerning Polish relief. but It is
regarded as probable that the Ambas-
sador will and opportunity to bring UP
the matter Of the Administrators pres.
cpt retaliation policy. which diplomats
regard as a serious menace TO- the future
relations between the United States and
the Entente Allies.
The seriousness Of the situation has
prompted the Administration to put a
check on the activities Of Democratic
leaders in Congress. As a result Of rep.
RESERVATIONS by Secretary Lansing. the
Phelan amendment to the revenue bill
containing drastic retaliatory measures
with respect to the mails. telegraph.
cable and express facilities has been
stricken out by the conferees.
t. A Source Of Friction.
! NJ. Lansing took the ground that this
measure was loosely drawn n likely
10 cause no end Of trouble. The British
Ambassador called Mr.. Lansing's at
tention to the consequences which would
surely follow recourse to any such
measure as that proposed by Senator
Phelan and adopted by the Senate.
But even with this amendment taken
out the retaliatory measures provided by
the Thomas amendment permitting the
President to refuse clearance to. vessels
Of countries that discriminate against
the United States. are regarded by diplo-
mats as sufficient to become a constant
Aource OF friction with the Entente. Re-
CARELESS Of whether the President makes
use OF his powers under the amendment
or not: II Is believed by Entente diplo-
mats to lay the groundwork for a wave
Of anti-American feeling throughout
Great Britain. France. Italy and Russia
not counting Belgium and the Balkans.
IL is regarded a. certain that this
widespread M~nfriendliness 70 Awerics
will cost American interests billions oil
dollars during the Val and will last fol
many years after the war Ia over. TIT
Entente diplomats feel that the Presi.
dent should give this phase Of the mat.
ter serious consideration before HI
makes this sacrifice to obtain temporary
advantages.
1t is pointed out that Is per cent. Of
the exports of this country now 20 Il
Great Britain. Once commercial retalia
ton Is begun there Is certain to be q
counter retaliation. and that II will cos,
American interests very dearly 10 no
doubted.
strong Pressure Expected.
The impression In growing that al
soon as President Wilson signs the bill
with the retaliatory legislation no will
be subjected to strong pressure from
various interests to use the retaliation
a. a club on behalf Of their grievance.
against Great Britain.
The expectation of ~oficials here Il
that my changes the Allies may decid,
to make as a result OF the Legislation
will be made by exercising greater
u leniency In cases OF detained cargoes, b.
less vigorously enforcing the blacklis
and by permitting mails to pass through
more quickly. BY these and similar
means. II is pointed out. a great part o
the annoyance to Americans could b,
eliminated without a formal acknowl
ergment Of defeat In the diplomat,
controversy.