New-York tribune., 1916-07-23


be far more injurious to commerce
than the publication of the blacklist,
which enables every one 10 know ex-
setly where he is. IL is for this reason
that steps arc being taken TO give the
list as much publicity as possible.
List Posted In Board Rooms.
"ln addition to its official publication
IN the London Gazette Il appears in
the BOARD of Trade journal and the
Chamber OF Commerce and Trade As
soeiations. Individual firms can keep
themselves posted with up 20 date
by obtaining a list regu-
lsrly from booksellers.
Complaint is made that the statu-
tory list is unnecessary, as the same
results might have been obtained sub
rosa. But IL so done, 1t would have
affected not merely the firms in the
United States which now figure in the
statutory list, but also others-prob-
ably all those of German names,
cause British traders, TO whom alone
our prohibition is addressed. would not
have known the names of the prohio-
tied firms and might, out Of caution,
have ceased dealing with a much larger
number.
"In trade matters nothing interferes
with business so much as uncertainty,
and il was 10 avoid this general inter
ference that the policy of prohioiuon
with the firms listed was adopted.
Denies Action Is Blunder.
"It has been said that it was blun-
der 20 publish the list when a frencn
loan was under way. Clearly II would
have been a blunder TO include inc
friends Of our French allies. But is
il suggested that this blunder has been
committed? Look at the list Who are
included? Is there one among them
who has not shown in unmistakab!e
Measure that his sympathies, and, more
still. his active help, are given, not to
our French allies and ourselves, but 10
our enemies?
at is indeed only those who have
shown Enthusiastically that they are en-
emies, or acting for enemies, who are
included. So we need not fear that
the support Of our French allies Will
be prejudiced in those quarters.
at is suggested that publicity in the
London Gazette was insufficient. The
press of the United States has given
all the publicity needed in the United
States and in every other country. We
find, in fact, that the local press always
reproduces lists, so there need be no
fear of hardship arising from want OF
knowledge Of the names included in the
list
81 see it is said in the city that opin-
ion is not unanimous. That may well
be so, for the city is put to incon-
venience in having to change the course
of its business. and naturally, unless
the city knows the facts upon
which the decision including any par
ticular firms in the statutory list is
based. il may sometimes see merely the
inconvenience and not the justice or
the necessity.
All Facts Carefully Weighed.
CAL the facts were carefully weighed
before the decision was arrived al. ana
| have no doubt that there is not a
name on the list which is not there
on evidence which fully justified its IN
clusion."
Mr.. Evans denied that sub rosa
blacklist now exists, the only basis for
such charge, he said, being the fact
that certain firms are under susplcion'
and British traders, therefore, nave
been warned TO be careful IN deailng
with them.
MIR. Evans also pointed out that there
are hardly more than thirty entitles IN
the American list, one-tenth OF the us,
being occupied by the Knauth' Nachoo
e. Kuhne Company, as, including tne
directors. they appear elght times Alih-
,r.rmann 4 Forshay appear six tines
Muller. Schall e. Co., FIVE times; MAG
Iaren & Gentles, four times. wnile
other firms appear two or more times;
neutral diplomat exceptionally
wall Informed regarding the details o.
the economic war which Great Britain
ia waring on the Central Powers, de-
clared to-day that he regarded the
recent publication by the britlsh gov
eminent of the blacklist of certain
American firms as "the greatest possl-
bic tactical blunder at this stage, wnen
a French loan is about TO be ioated IN
America and important Russian imam
cial arrangements are under way there
Calls List Needless.
at is blurder," continued the dip
/ lomat. because il is unnecessary, since
| for months most Of the firms on me
/ list have been on a sub rosa blackllst
At any rate, they were not on 'he
| white iist, so the government had com
plete control over any of their opera
| tions which touched British territory
"The financial section of London Is
bv no means unanimous in approval OIL
( the measure, even those IN its favor
, being dissatisfied with its scope, con
tending that some omissions from the
I list are more significant than lnclu'
sions. One large banking institution
on the list maintains close connection
with one Of London's largest bank;
ard at the request Of the latter some
time ago made extensive changes IN
its directorate in order TO eliminate
men Objectionable TO its London CORE
spondent- -.
This London bank now wants tc
know why it is prevented from carry
ing on its American business through
the blacklisted bank, while American
firms known TO have been actively con-
nected with German loans and other
activities are still on the white list.
ats publication at this time IS q
mystery. One possible theory is that
the governments hand was forced by
recalcitrant British firms which may
have declined TO give up trading with
firms not on the white list until their
position was made legally untenable
BY the actual promulgstion Of the list
II the government had desired to wan
the British public wider publicity
would have been sought. The list was
published only in the official London
Gazette None Of the London papers
printed it."