Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-22
Britain and the Black List

THROUGH letters to English newspapers.
England is learning what America thinks
of the British black list and learning also
what would be the probable effect Of the
exercise of such a prerogative by beligerent
governments. in time of war when Britain is
neutral. II is clear. Of course. that Britain g
necessities in the present struggle cannot
change international law. nor can such
change be effected even by the circumstance
of which We are constantly reminded
that Britain is fighting the battle of civilza-
ton against the Hun"
Law is law. In its international aspect and
relationship il has no sanction, OF course. save
the matured Judgment of civilization and the
armed force of the nation that its violation
wrongs. but the law remains.
In letter from an American in London to
the Manchester Guardian. the writer calls
attention TO the fact that many British
houses maintained proftab BILE trading relations
with Russia and with Japan during the Russo
japanese War. as they have done with most
beligerents of most wars when England has
been neutral" What. he asks. would have
been the effect on British opinion had Russia
or Japan promulgated list OF British citi-
zcus accused OF trading with the enemy and
baCklsted for that ofense? What would
have been the outcome had the Russian gov
crnment shown the same discrimination in
discrimination" the British government has
shown and blackiisted some firms while
leaving others, notoriousiy more involved with
the enemy belieerent 10 pursue unchallenged
their own sweet way? The American in Lon
don answers his own questions by saying that
Downing Street would be crowded with in.
diEnant bankers. shipowners and merchants
dsma nding to know If Russia could deny trad
ing rights guaranteed by treaty, to the small
company on Threadneedle Street which dealt
with japanese while conceding them to the
great firm OF Lombard Street which dealt
with Japanese, and whether any power existed
IN any government to condemn a small
selected group of British firms and persons 10
loss of trading rights. without any preliminary
Judicial process by which these British sub
iects o. their government could be heard. and
ny merely handing out an arbitrary fat
(irea Britain Is the greatest trading nation
in The world. Branches OF its foreign trade
banks q It's shipping corporations, of its
manufacturing and mercantile firms are estab-
lished ali over the globe, and the business
thus done is the foundation OF British power
The american who contributes to the Man
chester Guardian wants 10 know what Britain
would Do in the event OF war between the
United States and Mexico. If Britain were
offered the choice between abandoning all
is great oil properties and other investments
Z Mexico and abandoning rs commercial
relations with this coun:-!
The truth is the British black list is not
only unwsrranted il lay and opposed to the
spirit ot the commercial treaties between
Great Britain and the United States but dan
gerous TO the commercial progress OF the
British empire In future years the ghost
OF this folly Will rise % plague British gov
ernments. One cannot cat his cake and have
It; Britain cannot stand for freedom of trade
and al the same time exercise capricious and
unwarranted interference with the trade
rights OF other and neutral nations