Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-13
CONTROL OF EXPORTS
GIVEN TO GOVERNMENT
Means Powerful Weapon Which May
BE Welded for Winning
Of War.
TRADE DOMINATION OF WORLD
Measure, Sent to Wilson for Sigma
turc, Designed to Conserve Food
Resources, Aid Allies and Cut or
All Supplies From Germany.
TRADE DOMINATION OF WORLD
IBv As.ocintcd rrcss.l


WASHINCTON June l2.-Control of
exports was given the government to-
day when the Senate finally approved
the administration espionage bill. with
it's embargo clause. The measure. now
sent to the President for his sigma
turc puts into the hands Of the cxccu-
tive Il weapon by which it is intended
TO stop supplies from entering Germany
through neutral countries.
/ Passage Of the bill removes to "A
great extent the necessity Of the Brit
ish blockade since the United states
originator OF most Of the exports that
reach the neutrals. will be in position.
with the aid OF British machinery
established during the three years of
the war. TO see that the countries are
supplied with jus, enough food and
materials for their own needs. The
measure also gives another powerful
weapon to the President in that il per-
mi,s him to trade for articles controlled
hy the allies. which heretofore have
been permitted to come to America
only in limited quantities. The United
States, with an enormous trade balance
!
OF the rest OF the world for raw sup
plies. can force release of the supplies
it does need by exercising its new
power of exports.
FAIR CONTROL OVER
SHIPPING WILL RESULT
Fair control over shipping will re-
suit. AS administered. the act will re-
quire licenses for export carGoes. and
under this arrangement the government
can force neutral ships from harbors
where they have sought safety from
submarine attack into service 70 trans
port cargocs wanted by their home
countries. American and allied ship
ping. too. can be required To carry car
goes 10 the destinations the govern
mcnt considers should be supplied for
. :, period during the continuance OF the
war The act probably Will he admin
iStcrcd by the Department of Commerce
with AN advisory board named from
the state. War, Navy and Commerce
Departments and the food adminstra-
tion The board Will decide questions
that involve international policy. and
the food administration will have the
iiutl word regarding food exports EN-
perts say that the measure is as essen
tial 20 proper administration AS are
the food control bills. No matter how
heavy are foreign food purchases. the
government. by regulating shipments.
can accomplish as much in this drcc-
tiou as If il controlled purchases out
right.
The Commerce Departments Bureau
OF Foreign and Domestic Commerce
probably will handle licensing details
Already the bureau has been working
on plan and has notified exporters
that licensing system will be put
into effect within the near future. The
bureau will have TO add TO it's personnel
probably 500 men to handle exports
GOVERNMENT HAS
TIIREEFOLD PURPOSE
In applying the new law the govern
mcnts purpose, aside from preventing
supplies from reaching the enemy will
he TO conserve all American resources
first TO make America effective in the
war. second. to make the allies cffcc-
tive. and third. TO bcfricnd neutrals
friendly to the alliance. The power to
rcadjust shipping routes and sources
OF supply is expected to effect a trc-
mcndous saving in tonnage by reduc-
ing long hauls. For instance Spain
might not be allowed to get American
coal If she could just we'll get coal
from England. II is essential not to
allow imports to go into any country
contiguous to Germany which can In
any way be re-eXported or used TO re-
lease native supplies for Germany.
The neutral nations have expressed
much concern over Americas possible
policy. and three of them, Norway
sweden and Switzerland, have sent spe-
ciai commissions to this country to
present their needs and requirements.
Americas final Incorporation into the
allied economic strength with the leEis-
lation passed TO day gives the alliance
the practical trade dominat ton of the
whole world out side the German En-
pirc. The neutrals are practically help
less without allied shipping and coal
.