Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-22
Not the Time 10 Yield

TT is uncomfortable, we believe, that the
l United States will accept the advice that
comes from London and from some Ameri-
cans more British than the King. to sit quiet
under the British blacklisting of American
business firms. the ground that our mer-
chant arine is inadequate to handle our
foreign trade, or on any similar account
whatever.
AS matter of internal law and policy as
The Times Dispatch has pointed out Great
Britain is within its rights in forbidding
trading with the enemy. Furthermore, il can
forbid It's subjects TO hold business relations
with neutrals who do trade with the enemy
1t may go farther, indeed, as in effect it now
has gone and prevent Americans, to a very
large extent. from trading with neutral coun-
tries, for allied control of the seas and of
preponderance of free shipping gives the
black list this sinister effect
That is not to say, however, that we can
not, or should not. retaliate 1t has been
our oft-repeated boast, addressed especially
TO Germany and Austria, that our citizens
we're free TO trade with any OF the nations
now at war. That was our answer when Ger
many and Austria complained of American
shipments of munitions to one or another of
the allied governments. We said on these
occasions that this was a right American mer-
chants shared with all other neutrals that it
would not be surrendered, and that it would
ne maintained, ii ii became necessary, by
force of arms
Are we going to our own words? Are
we going to admit. in the face of the world
that our neutrality is sham? Are we going
to apply one treatment TO the attempted OBJ
preston of the central powers and another
to that of the allies? The Times Dispatch
thinks not.
1t is no concern OF this government with
whom American citizens transact business
They may trade with whom they will. we
have said and we must make that statement
good. When we talked OF going TO war with
Germany we were sufficiently unprepared i'm
all conscience, but in this controversy with
Britain we have weapons enough in our
armory TO wage successful fight.
or course. this does not mean war Our
friends across the sea are utilizing economic
pressure TO make Americans behave AS
Downing Street thinks they should behave,
and we can apply the same force exactly
The New York Times and other newspapers
altogether friendly to the allies just as The
Times Dispatch is friendly. speak editorially
OF the almost incredible folly of the British
course TO achieve small advantage,
negligible practically in its influence on the
war, Britain has stirred up American resent
ment. The SNUG complacency and self
sufficiency that inspire such stupidity are
Characteristic Of the British temperament in
its least engaging aspect
Ap)lauding yociferousy American deter
mlnation not To yield 10 Germany Britain in
sists in the next breath that we WELD to Brit
ish demands. In substance, ii not in form
the t'So cases are on an exact parity. That
3riilsh act OF Parliament or order in council
Is me weapon in one instance, while Ger
man submarine was relied on in the other
does not destroy the essential similarity
The only thing for this government to con-
slider is the propric,y OF making the punish
pcnt fiji the crime
In New York large quantities OF freight
consigned to South America have been held
up because OF the black list The British
steamships engaged in this trade must have
the approval OF the British consul before they
VIII Lake on any freight offered There is
general suspicion that. in addition to the pub
lished black list, there is an unpublished list
Shipowners OF all nationa lities are afraid TO
run counter TO British sea power To sub
NIT TO this wrong without efforts first to
amend IL, and. if these fail appropriately to
punish 1t. would be for America to surrender
claim 10 the respect of the world
ch hac