The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-20
BOARD TOLIMIT
EXPORTS UNDER
EMBARGO LAW
Lansing to Direct New
Weapon of War if Will
son Approves.
LICENSES 70 BE GIVEN
Pressure Will Be Exerted on
Neutrals Who Hamper
Entente Plans.
LICENSES 70 BE GIVEN

WASHINGTON. June 1s.-PlanE for
carrying into effect the provisions OF
the embargo section OF the espionage
law under which coal and other COM
modities greatly desired by neutral ma
tions are to be made instruments of
war formed the chief topic of discussion
at the meeting Of the Cabinet to-day.
Heavy grain purchases by European
neutrals. It was said tonight influenced
the Government to hasten putting
the export control act into operation.
Alarmed at prospects that the United
States was preparing to exercise the
strictest supervision over food ship
ments the Deutrsls, it Is declared. have
gone into the American wheat market
and obtained contracts for enormous
quantities Of the cereal. Much Of this
now probably never will leave the coun-
try. and II the food bills pass the pur-
chasers can be forced to disgorge their
holdings under the embargo clause.
The Allies, who have discontinued
grain purchases for the time being
awaiting the outcome OF the food ex-
port and control legislation. have grown
more and more impatient, 1t is declared
at the continued neutral buying. Tn
der programme that probably will
be adopted by the Government Amer
lea will be supplied first out of Amer
lean products the Allies will be taken
care of next and the neutrals will be
considered last
Following the Cabinet meeting a ten
tative outline OF the new board of ex-
port control which will Administer the
law was announced by Secretary Red
field. IL the President approves the
plan now before him this board will
consist Of one or more representatives
OF the Departments OF State. War, Navy
and Commerce and the food admins
traitor and such other advisers as the
Secretary Of State and the Secretary OF
Commerce may select. Secretary Lans-
ing will be the chairman.
The President and the Cabinet arl
understood to attach the greatest i'm.
portance to the work Of this board as q
factor in the determination OF the war
II Is also understood that 1t Is the
opinion of the Cabinet that the new en-
barge law should be invoked without de-
lay to meet the situation that has arisen
lately in some of the neutral countries
which have been placing restrictions or
the exports of Supplies greatly needed
by the Entente Allies. and at the same
time have been endeavoring to draw OF
America for their own needs
Lansing TO Control Policies.
The new law under which this board
will operate will require the creation OF
tremendous piece of machinery. The
Secretary OF State, having in charge
matters of diplomacy. will initiate. With
the approval of the President the mat
ters TO be taken up by the board and will
control its policies. The Department OF
Commerce. however. will have charge OF
all the administrative work and viii
create for this purpose special division
of export licenses.
The President by proclamation viii
designate the particular articles or class
Of articles to be controlled by the board
and will also designate the countries tc
which these articles may be exported
only under license. II will be for the
board to determine. after investigation
how much OF each commodity may be
exported and the division of export H.
censes will be empowered to issue H.
censes only up to the amount determined
upon.
Exporters will have to apply to tho
division Of export licenses which will
pass upon the quantity and also upon the
character of the consignee. Arrange
ments are being made to expedite this
work and the entire time OF issuing the
license is not expected to exceed thre'
days. Branch offices will be established
in New York. Boston and other largs
cities. where applications for licenses may
be filed. The President will be asked
TO set aside s15o.0oo OF emergency fund.
to start the work.
Problems for DETERMINATION.
Among the matters OF policy which
x,in ha dafarp,tnad nv or N,
Gil will be: The recommendation o.
proclamations by the President with ref
erence to the control of exports the ap
portionment OF rations. both by article
and country; methods OF selecting con
sgnees for various controlled exports
methods of selecting consignors for con
trolled exports matters of policy affect
ing the exporting of coal and bunkers
All matters of more than routine impor
tance will be passed on by the export
council. This will require considerable
amount OF work and the council will b
In session every day.
"A large part of the discussion to-da,
turned on coal. The export of coal /,
likely to be one of the first subject,
taken up by the new commission. Al
most all OF the leading neutral countries
are now looking to this country for q
part of their coal supply. There Is n.
intention Of placing a general embarg,
on coal because of any shortage here
but hereafter coal exports must carr,
with them reciprocal advantages fol
the Allies. Spain particularly Is seek
ing to make large contracts for Goa
in this country.
Considerable mystery has surrounded
the action of Argentina. In which coun
try strong German influences are knowI
70 have been at work. The export com
mission when appointed. win undoubt
edly demand complete showdown be
fore permitting any American wheat t,
90 TO that country.