New-York tribune., 1916-07-27
With Eye on Campaign,
Supporters Induce Him
to Reverse Cabinet.
CONFERS WITH POLK
AND SENATOR STONE
Then Announces Representa-
tions Against Principles of
Blacklist" Will Be Sent.
From The Tribune Bureau. J


Washington. July 26.-The announce
ment to-day that the President had
dropped HIS protest against the Brit
ish blacklist, following the representa-
tion of the British Ambassador
aroused such n storm among Demo
cratic politicians that the President Is
now understood to have reconsidered
his decision.
No protest is to be made, but it was
announced at the State Department to-
day that Representations against the
principles of the blacklist" would go
forward to London, probably within
the next few days.
At the Cabinet meeting yesterday,
where the question was discussed, the
lawyer judgment of the majority Of the
Presidents advisers prevailed, il was
learned to-day II was decided, owing
10 the lack of information and the as
sursnces of Ambassador Spring g-Rice. to
watch the operation of the blacklist
before determining the position of the
Administration. The infringement OF
American rights in the seizure Of the
mails, about which there was no ques-
tion of fact, was deemed the more i'm
portant issue. and Great Britain was
to be pressed for her violations.
Policy Would Hurt Campaign.
The announcement of this policy,
however, was received with dismay by
friends Of the President who have an
anxious eye on the campaign. They
are declared to have at once made
representations TO him that such 4
course would be politically disastrous:
The Republicans must not be allowed
10 make ammunition out of the sltua-
ton, they contendei.
Great Britain, knowing a campaign
was beginning in the United States, II
was said, has had the temerity to pub
lish a blacklist of American firms,
which il knew would arouse much re-
sentiment. 1t had followed this with
an evasive memorandum on the mail
seizures, it was pointed out, which in
no way met the Administrators con-
tentions.
IL these two acts were 10 De allowed
to pass without protest by the United
States, the Administration would be
open 10 the charge of supine foreign
policy. Whatever the merits of the
lawyer judgment to wait until the facts
were in, the President was informed
that as far as the campaign was con-
cerned a decisive stand by the Admin
istration was imperative. With the
child labor coup still fresh in his
mind. where an unwilling Democratic
caucus had been forced to accept the
measure, the President is declared to
have been impressed with the argu-
ment.
Polk Sees the President.
Secretary Polk was again called into
conference to-day with the President,
who also saw Senator Stone. The lat
ter, as chairman of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, has always insisted
action against Britain should be as
vigorous as against Germany. The an
nouncement that a note would be sent
was the result of the conferences.
The French Ambassador, NJ. Jusse-
rand. was a caller on Secretary Polk late
this afterr oon. He had returned to the
city from his vacation. Although all
information regarding his visit was
carefully guarded at the State Depart
ment. it was learned the British black
list was among the matters discussed.
All the Allies, it is understood, have
united behind the British position, and
are determined 10 make no concessions
on the question of enemy trading.