The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-09
CONT OL Of IMPORTS
AIDS WAR UNITY
VIII Cause Countries Receiving Our
Goods to Meet American Needs II
More Literally.
BOARD HAS WIDE POWERS
Additional Commodities for Export
New Order

washington, Dec 6.-That the adj
ditional powers given in the presi-
dents proclamation to the war trade
board 10 direct the general CONNER
cial relations of this country with the
other nations Of the world will be fu!-
~ employed, appears from a COM
prehensive statement just issued. The
United States government now has
complete control of its exports and
imports and will be able to deal with
all nations on that basis. The state
ment does not go into the question Of
the drastic power which the proclana-
ton gives in dealing with German
controlled arms in South American
countries and Mexico. which involves
diplomatic considerations.
THE governmental supervision OF
imports makes possible a more eff
fective scheme OF reciprocity" the
statement reads. and brings about a
closer unity of the countries associated
together In the war, Heretofore In the
absence of responsible agency with
which to deal the allied governments
were not in position to know that
all products exported by them to tha
| United States would be utilized In
manner most conducive to the success
of the great common enterprise. With
the extension OF scope in the opera
tons of the war trade board there, Ia
at hand q dependable medium through
which the allies will be enabled mpre
effectively TO express their willingn ness
to reciprocste. by making liberal ship
ments of commodities much needed
by this country in exchange for the
vast quantities OF vital supplies which
are going forward to- them In an un-
ending stream.
The various trades draliHg in the
ern argoed commodities have been, or
are being. so organized that the total
requirements OF each industry can be
accurately surveyed the n-eSsentiai
uses of any material eliminated, and
a system of control provided which
~ill insure the equitable distribution
OF the imported commodity and it~
! consumption in the most essential
products.
AT present all OF these materials
are permitted by foreign govern
-raaEts- tn-cnsaa- into this country only
under guarantees that they vii, not he
re exported. except under specified
restrictions; that they will not be used
/ in trading directly or indirectly with
| the enemy; and that no purchase Of
any such material has been made as
| a speculation. AT present these guar
| antees are given to the consul or other
Representative Of the allied govern
ments in this country. but this. meth
i.od of handling imports has resulted in
some dissatisfaction on the part OF
American business men affected
thereby.
Under the authority conferred.
upon the president by the trading with
iqs1e enemy aatENhe issuance offa proc
iamstiou requiring a license for the
! importation OF these various articles
l,puts into effect a plan whereby the
giving OF guarantees by individual
|, parties to a foreign government is oh
waited, and American individuals or
firms will henceforth deal directly
with their own government In con-
nection with their inportations.
by virtue OF this cooperation, su-
| pervision. and control on the part OF
the United States government. 1t is
believed there will be Forthcoming
larger quantities of these various com
modittes so essential for our success
fui participation in the war. as the
/ allied powers are anxious to work in
harmony with us to secure the most
advantageous distribution OF the
worlds supply of indispensable ma
terials, desiring only the assurance of
this government that the distribution
thereof will be equitable, thereby in
surfing the maximum of united Seffec-
tiveness against the common enemy,
The placing under control of the
food products and raw materials listed
in the presidents proclamation in re-
distribution Of these commodities, and
where necessary insure an equitable
price. and thus serve to protest the