New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-26
Embassy Adviser Speaks
on Blacklist in the
Bankers Club.
EXPORTERS TELL
THEIR GRIEVANCES
Committee to Study Mod
ifcatiOnS of the
Restrictions.

Modification Of the British mail cen
sorship to lessen. II not entirely re-
rove, its restrictive influence on
American foreign commerce virtually
was promised by Sir Richard Crawford,
trade adviser to the British Embassy,
in a discussion Of the matter before
representatives Of American finance
and industry az the Bankers Club yes
terday. The British agent came from
Washington TO attend luncheon given
at the club by A. Barton Hepburn,
chairman OF the directorate Of the
Chase National Bank.
Other guests included fifty prominent
bankers, manufacturers and exporters
many from distant parts Of the
ccuntry-who had complained Of the
censorship and blacklist restrictions.
After the conference it was an
nounced that a committee OF five New
York bankers would be appointed fur
Their to consider plans for the modif-
cation of the censorship requirements.
This committee will report TO the
British Embassy the latter part Of the
week. il was said.
In the informal discussion which fol-
lowed the luncheon Fred |. Kent, vice
president of the Bankers Trust Com
pany. outlined the difficulties expert
enced by American foreign traders on
81 dol M
mission Of mail Mr.. Hepburn summed
up the objections of exporters to the
censorship, and other speakers dwelt
up.n specific instances in which hard
ship had been imposed on American
business houses By the rigid British
requirements.
Trade Secrets Lost.
Trade secrets, 1t was pointed out, had
fallen into the hands of foreign com
petitors. and a situation menacing 10
the DEVELOPMENT of American foreign
commerce had arisen.
Sir Richard Crawford said everything
possible would be done TO prevent IN
convenience 70 American trade. The IN.
PRODUCTION of practical modlhcatlons OF
the censorship is being considered, ne
said, "and changes will be made as soon
as possible
Sir Richard called attention TO the
arrangements made BY the British gov
eminent last June for the speedy DIS
patch of shipping documents between
the United States and neutral coun-
tries. Such papers placed in specially
marked bags receive prior attention by
the censorship authorities. A similar
arrangement whereby business cor.
respondence could be expedited might
be evolved, the British agent stated
Predicts Practical Results.
at was found impossible for the
meeting TO enter closely into details,
said Sir Richard, in statement issued
after the discussion, "but certain sus
gostions were made which are 70 De
the subject of further consideration,
and it is believed that some practical
results will follow.
Toward the end OF the conference
the discussion turned on the recent
publication 1f the statutory list OF
American firms with whom British sub
iects are prohibited from trading, un-
der heavy penalties. This appears TO
have created some misunderstanding as
TO the real objects Of the list.
at NAV be observed that in Graf
Britain the principle of domicile had
been accepted prior 20 this war, where
by trading with an enemy applied only
TO trading with en- enemy domciled IN
enemy territory; whereas, in the other
Allied countries, as also IN Germany,
an enemy is an enemy by birth and
status wherever he may be domiciled,
and trading with him is an offence
Under the laws OF those countries.
an the prosecution Of the war it was
found imperative, in order TO insure
Uniformity OF procedure on the part Of
the Allies, for Great Britain TO adopt
the principle recognized by her Allies,
end accordingly the trading with the
enemy extension act was introduced,
which makes it penal offence for any
British subject 10 trade with firm OF
enemy nationality or with enemy inter
ests wherever situated.
Act Raised Big Problems.
"The result was at once TO confront
a large number Of British houses, en-
gagged in trade with thousands of firms
with German names in the United
States, with the serious problem of de-
termining for themselves whether such
firms were in fact enemy houses by
nationality or Thether, notwithstand-
ing their status as American corpora
tions, they were by their constitution
or by the Immortality OF their trans
actions in all respects TO be regarded
as enemy concerns within the meaning
Of the Law.
"a striking example Of the incidence
and rigorous application Of the trading
with-the-enemy act was soon forthcom-