New-York tribune., 1916-07-31
American Protest Declares
l.. S. VIII Not Acquiescc
in Methods.
CLAIMS THE RIGHT
TO TRADE FREEDOM
Serious Consequences to Neu.
tral Relations" Pointed Out
TO Foreign Office.

test against the blacklist, made public
tonight by the State Department, Of
the many serious consequences 10 neu-
tral right and neutral relations which
such sn act must necessarily involve" 4"
Already in the hands of the British
Foreign Office, the note declares cir
the CrsveSt terms" that IT is mani
festly out Of the question that the gov
eminent Of the United States should
acqUieSce in such methods" and that
the United States regards the blacklist
as inevitably and essentially incon-
s.stent with the rights Of all the citi-
rens Of all the nations not involved in
the war"
The note reminds the British govern
ment that citizens Of the United
States are entirely within their rights
IN attempting TO trade with the people
or the governments Of any of the na-
tons now at war. subject only to we'll
defined international practices and
understandings which the government
q the United States deems the gov
eminent Of Great Britain to have too
lightly and frequently disregarded."
The American note is even more DOS
tive in its terms than officials have
intimated. Ambassador Page was in
structed by Acting Secretary Polk to
deliver it formally and textually.
Text of American Note.
The text Of the American protest is
ss follows:
The announcement that His Britain
nc Majesty's Government has placed
the names Of certain persons, firms and
corporations in the United States upon
3 proscrptive blacklist and has for
hidden al financial or commercial deal
ings between them and citizens of
Great Britain, has been received with
the most painful surprise by the people
and Government Of the United States
ara seems 70 the Government of the
United states TO embody a policy of
aroltrary interference with neutral
trsde, against which IL is its duty 10
protest IN the most decided terms.
The scope and effect Of the policy
are extraordinary. British steamship
companies VIII not accept cargoes from
the prescribed firms or persons, or
transport tneir goods 10 any port, and
steamship lines under neutral owner
ship understand that if thew accent
freight from them they are likely 10 he
cenled coal at British ports and ex
Guided from other privileges which
tney nave usually enjoyed and NAV
themselves be put upon the blacklist.
Neutral bankers refuse loans TO those
on the list and neutral merchants de-
cline 70 contract for their goods. fear
ing like prescription.
1T appears that British officials re-
gard the prohibitions of the blacklist as
applicable 10 domestic commercial
transactions IN foreign countries, as
well as in Great Britain and her de-
pendencies. for Americans doing bust
ness IN foreign countries have been nut
on notice that their dealings with
blacklisted firms are 20 be regarded as
subject 20 veto by the British Govern
ment BY the same principle Americans
IN the United States might be made
subject 20 similar punitive action if
they were found dealing with anv Of
their own cOuntrymen whose names
had thus been listed
Harsh Effects Obvious.
The harsh and even disastrous ef-
fects Of this policy upon the trade of
the United States and upon the neu-
tral rights upon which il will not fail
o. insist are obvious. Upon the list of
those prescribed and in effect shut out
from the general commerce of the
world may be found American con-
Germs which are engaged in large COM
mercial operations as importers of for
eign products and materials and as dis
tubuters of American products and
manufactures 20 foreign countries. and
|. which constitute important channels
through which American trade reaches
the outside world. Their foreign af-
hhations may have been fostered for
many years. and when once broken
cannot easily or promptly be reestab-
hshed
Other concerns may be put upon the
l.N any time and without notice. IL
ls understood that additions 10 the pro-
scrpnon may be made whenever on
n account Of enemy nationality or enemy
n tssOVauon o. such persons or bodies
vi persons II appears 10 His Majesty
VI .Apeaient 70 do So The possibilities of
.uueSeTed injury 70 American citi-
- 80 from such measures, arbitrarily
l ;sen, snd Of serious and incalculable
mSrFlpuons Of American trade are
n without limit
N.;...s mas been stated on behalf of His
m,., s Government that these meas
Cresi ~ AIMED only az the enemies Of
49, 1ilsln, and would be adopted
rigi,." ,".oieeo with strict regard 10 the
rose;lt' heatrals and with the least
IN g.. =. ueFimeut 20 neutral trade.
" tsblr . evident that thev are inevi-
tbo ,; -Hu essentially Inconsistent with
t;o,s s".S OF the citizens of ali the ma
"o.S nT nov involved In vsr
State NJ oo.ernment Of the United
NJ u:, pees 70 remind the Government
OF ~. DIlannlc Majesty that citizens
v';.l Ae United States are ent;reiy
traJe eF .neF rights in attemnting IN
men. WIN the people or the Govern
" wsr s, any Of the nations nov, a,
rat}o,siIJeet only 70 well defined inter.
which =, practices and undersfsnd,nes
States AZ Government OF tbe Trnited
pri,es ueems the Governrnor. 80 go, ti.o
Wen,iy 70 have too lightly and TOO fre'
J Safeguards Brushed Aside.
pssi,iae phiae are well known remedies and
49, ior breaches ~ b"ai.5. eiiu
c. 'he blockade is real - 80 Neue'
er,s'' erNe' LOT trade in con,TaI.I r'iu IN ISct
ts.s unhe9'rsl act bv ybo,eool''uI, bSoo'iu, LOT
"a sBvea' Ihe Govern men 80 ,JS,T al
reS..ts cannot consent - @ 'e nv
.sssues .s,saIs and penalties LEY sc those
grora s' me will Of a singlo u,'. OF e1-
e., ~ powers, 70 tbe I, po"er or
j Nh citizens or 4, sne injury OF its