The sun., 1916-01-06
TO FIGHT GERMAN TRADE
British Chambers Of Commerce
Plan Drastic Action.

LoSpoS. Dec 2a.-with the object OF
forming an offensive and defensive trade
alliance OF the Entente Powers against
the Central Powers and their allies an
important conference OF British Cham
bers OF Commerce is soon TO be held in
London.
The conference IL TO draw up pro-
gramme which will be submitted 10 the
Government IN the name OF British COM
merce laying down the lines on which
the proposed alliance IS TO be based.
The proposal is practically TO form
free trade union of the Entente Powers
and exclude Austria and Germany from
trade with their territory by means
OF a high tariff wall 50 as TO prevent
the Central Powers recovering their
commercial prosperity after the con-
clusion OF peace.
Premier Asquith is understood 20
favor the scheme and with other MEM
bers OF the Government he IL already
studying the broad lines Of trade
agreement with Great Br!tains allies.
Mr. Asquith is strongly OF opinion that
not even the preocCupaton OF military
occupations ought 10 prevent the Allies
from taking measures TO secure that this
problem shall be carefully explored by
expert investigation.
The Chambers OF Commerce want to
commercial alliance shall become opera
tive on the day that peace Is signed.
Arthur Samuel. "A member OF the execu-
tive council OF Chambers OF Commerce Of
the United Kingdom. has offered various
suggestions for discussion at the confer
enCr IN January and these have been cir
culated through the country. Mr.
Samuel urges that after the conference
the delegates shall lay the concrete pro-
pos,ls before the Prime Minister In order
10 permit the Government To study them
The proposals Of the British cham
Der OF Commerce contain several sug-
gestions Of great Importance to the
United states. notably the proposed plan
to further the shipping interests of the
Allies. The idea is to restrict the coast
wise trade of the immense coastlines OF
Britain. France. Italy, Russia and pre-
sumably also Japan to vessels flying
the flags of the Entente Powers and such
neutral ships as may care TO compete
with them. to the complete exclusion OF
all German and Austrian vessels. That
is to say. none hut allied ships shall
load in allied ports cargo for other
allied ports. This scheme. the promo
ters think. would completely cripple the
German mercantile marine and prevent
II ever again becoming "A menace to
British shipping interests,
Here are some OF the chief suggeS-
,lons which Mr.. Samuel has put before
tIc Chambers of Commerce for con-
sidcratIon at the conference
I. Britain and the British overseas do
minions to join and invite CONNER cial
representatives OF the Entente Powers 10
meet ia conference for the PURPOSE of
discussing the position of their trade
after the war.
. Shippln- laws governing the British
attitude toward the mercantile marines
OF other Powers to be completely re-
modelled
3 No shin wholly or partly owned BY
subjects of "A late enemy Power shall he
allowed to embark or discmbark passen-
gers at n British port or at any of the
ports OF the Entente Powers ,This
clause II aimed specially at the German
transatlantic lincs)
l. \ uuty OF ten shilings per ton gross
tonnage to be placed on every ship wholly
or partly owned by subjects of late
enemy Power entering a port in the
British Empire or "A port in dominions of
the Entente Powers. entering to escape
perils of the sea excepted
:. The establishment on territory OF
the Entente Powers Of branches or agen-
ces of shipowning Arms whose head
quarters or ownership are German or
Austrian TO he prohibited.