New-York tribune., 1916-07-22
Lord Robert Cecil
Says Only Target Is
Enemy Firms.
DECLARES THESE
AID THE TEUTONS
Policy Adopted in Far
East Last Summer with
Good Results.
BY ARTHUR s. DRAPER.

London, July 21.-The New York
Tribune and other editorials regarding
the British blacklist have caused con-
siderable perturbation here, as any
widespread American opposition was
not expected. Lord Robert Cecil, talk
ing to The Tribune's correspondent to-
day, met some of the points raised.
"The basis Of our action" said Lord
Robert, lies in the right of any gov
ernment to control its own subjects
trade in the country's interest. We
have acted in a manner tending 70
cause the minimum of Inconvenience.
We have not adopted the law of many
European countries, including France,
which forbids their subjects trading
with anybody Of enemy nationality
wherever domiciled. We have pro-
hibited our subjects from trading only
with specified firms or companies of en-
emy nationality or association.
"We are not attempting to lay down
rules stating with whom Americans
shall or shall not trade. Our action IS
aimed at those Germans, whether nat
uralized or not, who, because of their
substantial assistance TO Germany, are
acting as 'outposts of the German En-
pire' Our test is, Are they in point OF
fact acting as our enemies?
Ready to Correct Mistakes.
at is only after the most elaborate
consideration and inquiry that any firm
is placed on the list. Even then there
is ample opportunity for an explana-
tion Of their position, and il they are
able TO satisfy US that mistake has
been made their names naturally VIII
be removed.
"The origin of our policy is in the
fact that we have serious evidence that
the type of persons indicated have been
commercially assisting the cause Of our
enemies. We have reason TO know that
German commerce raiders secured sup
plies through their agencies, which
again undoubtedly would be available
should new raiders escape. They have
made considerable contributions TO the
German war loan, which has been
translated into munitions used against
us. They have assisted the German
propaganda in neutral countries. 1t
is absurd to allow British firms TO
trade with these persons on the same
footing as ordinary neutral firms.
"We began this policy last summer
in the Far East, and we know 1t has
inflicted injury on the resources OF
our enemies. We have adopted it in
South America. There is no ground for
making an exception in the United
States. We have no intention OF hurt
ing United States trade, but 1t would
be an injustice to treat German firms
in the United States differently from
those located in Brazil and Argentina.
at is stated that we are about to
issue a new and fuller list. This re-
port is absolutely unfounded. There
il no immediate intention of adding
any names to the present list, which
was compiled only after the most care
full investigation"
When asked whether the reason that
some firms do not appear in the black
list is because they subscribed TO the
British war loan, Lord Robert Cecil an
swered:
Naturally, we don't include our
friends. The list contains the names
Of our enemies"
Only British Subjects Involved.
A high official in the Foreign Trade
Department, which is responsible for
making up the blacklist, also gave The
Tribune a reply to some of the criti-
cisms.
"The trade of firms named on the
list is interfered with only so far as
British traders facilities are involved,
this official said ut would be an
impertnent as well as a ridiculous
suggestion if the British government
supposed its consent was IN any way
necessary for American trade, except
in so far as British subjects were in
volved. But when we see German
finn in America helping Germany even
Continued on page 3, column