The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-07-09
EXPORT CONTROL
is NOW ORDERED
BY PRES. WILSON
Complete Embargo on All Food Is Urged
Firm Grasp on Shipping Assured
Order Goes Into Effect
Iuly IS

Washington, d. c., July 9.--Govern'
ment control of American exports au-
thorized in a provision of the espionage
act, was ordered put into operation July
Is by President Wilson last night in a
proclamation putting under license ship
ments to all countries for the most i'm
portant export commodities.
In statement accompanying the proc
lamation, the president declares that the
governments policy will be, first, to give
consideration TO American needs; next,
to meet as far as possible the require
ments of the allies, and lastly, to supply
the neutral countries wherever practic-
able. 1t is made clear that every effort
will be made to see that no supplies
reach the central powers.
The commodities put under control are
coal, coke, fuel, oils, Kerosene and gaso-
line, including bunkers; food grains, flour
and meal, fodder and meats and fat, pig
iron, billets, ship plates and structural
shapes. scrap iron and scrap steel, ferro
manganese, fertilizers, arms, ammunition
and explosives.
The inclusion of foodstuffs in the proc
lanai ation lends color TO statements that
the administration is considering the ad-
visibility Of a complete embargo for 90
days on all food shipments, to give the
country time to ascertain the amount of
its supplies and to give allied and neutral
countries an opportunity to present a
full program of their requirements.
The president in his statement says |
that the government is trying, first, to
ameliorate present food conditions and |
that are expected to arise be-
tween now and the next harvest. Many |
officials, alarmed at the wheat shortage
and the heavy drain the allies and neu
trails are making on every kind of Amer
can food supplies, are urging an immedi.
ate embargo on food shipments.
Through control of coal and other fuels
,he government intends to take a firm
yrasp on shipping. An arrangement un
Ter negotiation will give the American
Ind British governments control of not
'nly all allied tonnage but of neutral
'essels as well. Ships now on runs not
egarded as necessary to successful {
onduct of the war will be forced into :
rades considered more essential and
essels now held in port through fear of I
ubmarine attack will be required to go {
nto service. /
Control of iron and steel was made a
ecessary by war demands on those in
ustries. A shortage of steel in this
ountry is threatened because OF the
Irge amount that is being diverted to 1
manufacture and the construc-
on of the governments merchant fleet.
apan's heavy purchases Of steel plates
,r merchant ship building made it nee e
'sary that plates be put under control. b
t the same time this action gives the Y
overnment a weapon with which to F
'rce this tonnage into trans Atlantic ri
ade. a
Specific regulations governing food ex-
,rts and shipments of other commodi- b
es mentioned in to-day's list are ex-
scted to be issued by the president n
thin a few days. Even ifsa complete
nbargo is not placed on food exports fs
n time, it is known that many re- Il
rictions will be made. The exports Ell
uncil. comprising three cabinet mem al
RS, and the food administrator, is draw W
e up program to be submitted to et
e president Immediately. pi