The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-25
VIGOROUS PROTEST MAY
co FORWARD TODAY
State Department Working on De-
mand To BE Made rs TO
Blacklist
PRESIDENT OPPOSES EMBARGO
He Is Not Willing to Consider Drastic
Action Until He Is Satisfied Diplo-
macy Won't Do the Work.

protest to the British government
against the blacklisting OF American
corporations and firms is expected to
go forward to the London foreign Of
flee tomorrow.
1t was announced at the State De-
partment that AN announcement on
the blacklist might be made tomor-
row" 1t was not specifically stated
this announcement will take the form
OF a note to Great Britain, but wig
orous protest" has been promised as
the first official action. and II was gen.
orally assumed today the forthcoming
announcement will take this form.
decision will be reached by the
President and his cabinet II will be
placed before the cabinet by Acting
Secretary Polk. The State Department
has been awaiting a reply from the
British emba ssy to It's inquiry for facts
as to the operation OF the blacklist.
Sufficient facts have been obtained by
the State Department. however, II was
stated today. to establish the principle
clearly and to enable the United States
to make its first diplomatic move in
opposition to this new restrictive trade
measure.
The United States governments pro-
test is expected to admit that Great
Britain has legal right to advise her
subjects in an out of British territory
against dealing with the enemy or
dealing with neutral countries OF Eu-
rope because their goods might find
their way into the enemy's lines.
VIII Vigorously Oppose Boycott.
But the right of Interference with
trade Of neutral countries with Great
Brttains enemies by applying the boy
colt to them will be vigorously OPP
posed.
The most serious opposition will he
raised to Great Britain's assumption of
the right. by proclaiming an arbitrary
blacklist, to interfere with the trade
of American citizens, particularly in
cases where that trade is not with
Germany, or with neutrals adjacent
to Germany. but with South American
and Oriental countries, shipments to
which could not possibly find their way
to Great Britatn's enemies.
AS outlined by authorities today the
communication TO the British govern
ment will contain these features.
A recitation OF the history OF tho
announcement by Great Britain OF her
trading with the enemy act and the
objection to II filed soon after It's re-
ceipt by Secretary Lansing.
A statement that the action of Great
Britain towards American firms In ar
bitrary and volative Of The "tradi-
tional spirit Of the conditions Of COM
merce between the two countries.
An assertion that the selection OF
individual cases for blacklist without
proof OF guilty connection with the in
terests OF Great Brttains enemies is
discriminatory, and, therefore. viola
tive essentially of the comfy between
the United States and Great Britain.
A warning that the United States re-
CARDS the imposition OF such hard l.
ships on American individuals ana
corporations as a basis for an equity
of action for claims against Great
Britain by the interested parties. A
declaration that the United States,
pending reply from Great Britain,
reserves the right 70 take such steps
as It deems proper to safeguard all
cases which are not fairly within the
rights of Great Britain to prevent her
own subjects from dealing with the
enemy,
Thus far State Department officials
will not admit the United States is
prepared TO listen 70 any overtures
from European neutrals for joint ac-
ton TO compel the British government
TO abandon its present course.
Van Rappard Again In Conference.
Chevalter Van Rappard. the Meth
erlands minister, was again at the
State Department today in conference
with Acting Secretary Polk. The
Netherlands government is vitality In
terested in what steps the United
States may take. The Scandinavian
countries. particularly Sweden, are
known to be greatly DESTROYS of
launching some form OF Joint action
sn -{,
There were growing indications to-
day that II diplomatic action fails, as
1t has failed in past dealings with
Great Britain over trade aggress on,
the United States will be strongly In
clined to consider proposals looking
TO action that will bring relief
In this connection 1t was recalled
today that Secretary Lansing several
months ago went on record as favor
ing the application of new doctrines
that would enable neutral nations TO
Ak the terms OF international law
which belligerents must follow rather
than to compel neutrals to submit to
rules OF international law as laid down
by belligerents.
No Retaliatory Steps.
Although protests continued to pour
In on members of Congress against the
blacklist. no steps were taken today
toward launching retaliatory legisla-
ton against Great Britain. The dis
position seemed TO he to await the
outcome Of promised diplomatic steps.
Senator Hoke Smith. OF Georgia., said
after comforting with the President he
believed the blacklist will be adtusted
through diplomatic channels. He said
he did not believed retaliatory meas
ures would be necessary. although
there was no question OF the constitu-
tionality OF restraining expectations to
Great Britain.
President Wilson is understood to
be averse to retaliation at this time.
His attitude now is to await Great
Britain's response to diplomatic rep
reservations before sanctioning any
more drastic measures