New-York tribune., 1916-07-23
w. L. Harris, Cotton Mer-
chant, Says State Depart
ment Refused Aid.
AYERS BLACKLIST
WRONGS NEUTRALS
Americans Organize New Firms
with English Associates for
Overseas Trade.

W. l.. Harris, head OF the cotton ex-
porting firm of Harris. Irby & Vosc, Of
10 William Street, one Of the American
concerns placed on the blacklist by the
British government, said yesterday
that he had sought relief at Washing
ton and had been told by the State
Department that the blacklist, being a
commercial matter, was beyond the
scope of the department.
I'VE addressed a letter to the Brit
ish Embassy, seeking justice said Mr..
Harris. This letter was not even an
swcred. In consequence of being on
the blacklist our foreign financial docu-
ments are denied standing and recogni-
tion in England. We are not only de-
MED cable communication with Europe,
but our mail to and from Europe is
eonfscated by England. As a result OF
these conditions American bankers fear
TO have anything TO do with documents
bearing our name.
"An order has been issued by the
British government that before a ship
ment can be made from America to any
destination there must be obtained
from the British Consul a certificate to
the effect that no ownership or interest
in such goods is vested directly or in
directly in any one on the blacklist,
regardless OF whether such interests
lie in American citizens.
Gives Monopoly TO Britain.
"The inevitable results Of this pro-
cedure is 10 place a virtual monopoly
of all overseas trade in the hands of
Great Britain, thereby denying all neu-
trail merchants the right 70 trade d.
rectly with each other and forcing such
trade, which rightfully belongs TO
American citizens, to be done through
the medium Of British merchants.
Great Britain has only to put all
American firms on her blacklist to
force all American cotton exporters out
Of business and take 70 herself all
overseas trade in one Of our greatest
commodities. cotton. II it is the pur-
pose Of our government TO acquiesce IN
this condition, then we can see nothing
to do but discharge our many employees
and close up our business. II as
American citizens we are entitled 10
any rights or consideration, we feel
that our government should immediate
ly request Great Britain TO abate this
condition"
Nothing definite has yet been accom-,
plished by the forty or fifty blacklisted
business men who attended trldays
meeting of protest in the Offices OF the
Chamber OF GermanArerican Com
merce, Inc, OF II Broadway. 1t is not
likely that any plan will be adopted
until the chairman has named the COM
nittee Of five provided for in resolu-
tions. This committee will confer i'm
mediately with Maurice B. Blumenthal,
Of 35 Nassau Street, counsel for the
blacklisted firms, and a visit 70 wash
inrton for consultation with Secretary
Lansing and Attorney General Gregory
probably will follow.
No Action Taken by u. S. Chamber.
Mark o. Prentiss, field worker OF
the Chamber Of Commerce OF the
United States. who was reported to
have attended Fridays meeting, said
Yesterday that he was in New Jersey
ALI Aav and that the chamber had no
representative at the gathering. Offieial
action cannot be taken by the chamber,
Prentiss said, until it is brought TO the
attention of the board OF directors by
two or more member organizations.
Reports Of the organization OF more
British-American firms 10 replace hrms
which originally were backed by Ger
man capital or German influence we're
current Yesterday. Several OF these
new firms, composed of Epglishmen and
Americans whose firms have been black
listed, are to open their Offices to-mor.
row. One Of these firms is reported to
have been incorporated in Delaware.
last week with a capital Of s25o,ooo and
TO have in its membership two Eng
lishmen and two Americans, the latter
formerly member. of blaeklisted firms; m !.
Heinrich Charles. secretary Of the
Chamber Of German-Ameriean Com
we're issued a statement yesterday
declaring that Germany does not lose
an. .ent in trade or money throug n the
blacklist. but that the British order IS
directed mainly against American trade
w;,h south America and the Far East