The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-25
South American Trade viii Be
Benefited, They Claim.
Boycott viii Only Mean a
Shifting of Accounts.
OTHER NEUTRALS ANXIOUS
Many Would Join With c. S. to
Check English Aggression.
Congress Remains Deaf to Pro-
tests of Business Firms.

Washington, July 25.-That the
British blacklist of American firms
was not published until the acquies-
cence or the approval of several large
banking institutions of New York had
first been assured. was the statement
made here today on good authority.
This fact is considered responsible
for there not being more firms on the
list. The bankers took the stand
when the matter was being discussed
that only those houses having a direct
trading relation with Germany and
whose business was primarily of a
military value to the German govern
ment should be boycotted. When the
question of the effect of the blacklist
on South American trade was reached
the banks referred to said the United
States would profit. Many of the
blacklisted firms the British officials
pointed out have been maintaining
| Germany's trade relations with South
America and were in a position to do
so only because they were domiciled
| in a neutral country.
| With the boycott in force. it is
claimed that practically the only COM
petition against American business
would be removed and that the bust
ness outlook for those banks which
recently have established branches in
South America and are now training
many employees in New York for that
field would be materially frightened.
Trade Won't Diminish
In discussing the blacklist with the
bankers the British officials pointed
out that there would be practically
no diminution in American trade but
only transfer of the business of for
eisn firms from the boycotted houses
to others not under ban. On the 9TH
er hand they said the necessity of
| British firms being relieved of the
uncertain character of their Ameri-
can connections, required the publi-
cation of the blacklist. This situa-
ton may result in strong pressure be-
ing brought to bear on the govern
ment by the powerful financial in
terestS which will benefit by the
blacklist, to prevent any drastic ac-
! ton against England being taken.
| A vigorous protest to the British
government is expected to go forward
to the London foreign office today.
The United States governments
protest is expected to admit that
Great Britain has legal right to ad-
/ wise her subjects in and out of British
territory against dealing with the en-
| emy or dealing with neutral countries
of Europe because their goods might
| find their way into the enemys lines.
But, the right of the British govern
ment to interfere with the trade of
neutral residents of neutral countries
with Great Britain's enemies by apply
ing the boycott to them will be vigor-
ously opposed.
| AS outlined by authorities, the COM
munication to the British government
will contain these features:
A statement that the action of Great
Britain toward American firms is ar
! bitrary and violative of the tradition
! al spirit of the conditions of COM
merce between the two countries
An assertion that the selection of in
dividual cases for blacklist without
proof of guilty connection with the in
/ terests of Great Britain's enemies is
discriminatory and therefore vfolative
essentially of the comfy between the
! United States and Great Britain.
Equity Action.
A warning that the United States
regards the imposition of such hard
ships on American individuals and
of action for claims against Great
Britain by the interested parties.
A declaration that the United
States, pending a reply from Great
Britain, reserves the right to take such
! steps as it deems proper to safeguard
all cases which are not fairly within
the rights of Great Britain to prevent
her own subjects from dealing with
the enemy.
| Thus far state department officials
will not admit the United States is
prepared to listen to any overtures
from European nations for joint ac-
ton to compel the British government
to abandon it's present course.
Chevalier Van Rappard, the Neither
lands minister, was again at the state
department comforting with Acting
Secretary Polk. The Netherlands gov
ernment is vitality interested in what
steps the United States may take. The
Scandinavian countries, particularly
Sweden. are known to be srQa tlv de-
sirous of launching some form of Joint
action to preserve neutral rights.
Although protests continued to pour
in on members of congress against the
blacklist, no steps have been taken to-
ward launching retaliatory legislation
against Great Britain. The disposition
seemed to be to await the outcome of
promised diplomatic steps,