Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-31
EXPORTS DO NOT STOP
WITH GERMAN INTERESTS

n
The neutral world is witness
through its own experience with black
lists. the examination OF neutral mails
and reprcssivc blockades. that these
efforts will not stop with German In
tcrests. but interfere TO British advan-
tage in Legitimate business OF neutral
countries.
Lord Grey. when Foreign Secretary.
argued that no rights or property or
blacklisted firms were injured. bur
that the firms enjoyed freedom OF trad
ing in every respect viii, all except
-~aritish foreign subjects. The point
over which the British note Sldcd
carelcssly, and which is vita to the
entire argument. IS that "a lila elk
listed Grm is robbed OF the right Ia 40
business with other neutrals. this being
accomplished by means OF cnsin
boycott introduced by England
Any one having business relations
with a biacltlsted firm. or who is even
suspected of such 'unfricnd,y' conduct.
risks being themselves placed OF the
black list.
The British design is to paraly:.c
completely the trade OF black
listed fiIn with neutral concerns The
British censor even confscates any
hank balances OF these blacklis,ed
firms. and payments due 10 them from
British sources arc held up.
The true character and effects OF
Englards Illegal measures are recoE-
nized by the ncutralS. Here. for c.
ample. IS confidential circular of
the Netherlands Overseas Trust road
ing, We think it necessary IN the in
tcrcsis Of Dutch trade. to inform inn
portcrs that the British government
intends To place upon the statutory
list everybody who sells or delivers to
firms already on that list goods i'm
ported from overseas
FIRMS ARE CLASSIFIED
As "FRIENDLY" AND "ENEMI"
The placing Of such a neutral OF
the black list would mean for him
an absolute embargo on goods not in
Lcrcntiy "ontrabaud. More and more.
Ems is classifying the business
houses OF neutral countries into enemy
and friendly firms and rcsortinG to the
most impudent forms of commercial
espionage TO throttle tho firms ella
rs enemies. Matters have gone so far
in such countries the Dutch East
Indies where the British ifs, is felt
most severely, that neutral firms have
asked British consuls for the names
al business houses with whom they
may hc permitted /" trade
'Besides The blacl. list the English
hav. also Il highly confidential gray
list. Firms whose names are on this
list are characterized a. houses with
which it is not desired jhst English
men shall trade. The number of
names OH the gray lis; Is much larger
than the black list Against the black
/ listed firm. there is AN absolute en-
barge OH goods and "a considerable re-
/ striction OF mail privileges. but cor
rcsp"EdenCe with those on the gray
| list still is permitted. This leads how
ever. in most cases IL nothing. owing
to delays.
Ensland'S course therefore. in spite
OF Lord Grey'S attempt at whitcwash-
ing. is marked by system designed
10 enrich England AT neutral expense
/ Here. then, are signs Of Great Hritain's
real aims i'll the war, aims Who's. de-
/ pdrture from a!truism j. - marked
that the! naturally were not included
/ in the cntentc'S altruisrir uronilncia-
mento for the freedoms uf uaiional,icS
and the rights Of small nations"