Evening journal., 1917-12-05
1900 FIRMS ON THE
American BLACKLIST
Enemy TIA ing List for 20
Latin-American Coun-
tries Announced
OTHER COUNTRIES
WILL BE INCLUDED


Of 600 q ms In twenty Central ana
South American countries with whom
merchants OF the United states are for
b.dden specifically TO do business ex-
cent under special license was p omul-
gated last night by the War Trade
Boa d. II is officially styled enemy
trading list" and constitutes the hIst
section Of a record which eventually
VIII include the names of firms in most
of the countries Of ;he world, including
the United states itself.
Latin America is dealt with FIRST be-
cause Of the large number OF German
firms IN the southern republics active
in aiding Germanys cause. Evidence
nut before The war trade board has
shown that many of these firms, in
cluding public utilities companies have
financed 10 a large degree German
propaganda work IN the United states.
All those named In the list issued to-
night have been charged with secretly
OF openly assisting Americas enemies.
The action is taken under authority
conferredson the President by The trad
ing with the enemy act and is designed
solely for the guidance Of American
concerns TO enable them to- observe the
provisions Of the law The act for
bids not only trading except under
special license with an enemy or an
ally of an enemy, but prohibits COM
merce as well with a person conduct
ing trade on behalf OF or for the
benefit OF an enemy.
Any licenses issued for trading with
firms named in the list will be apart
from the regular export and import
licenses. which must be obtained for
the shipment ia or out Of the United
states Of most commodities.
10 is possible that in many instances
licenses may be issued, as it may be
found that trading in certain COM
mod ties with those named in the list
will not work to any advantage for
Germany or her allies
To minimize as far as possible, any
Inconvenience 20 merchants i'm this
country arising from the declaration,
the War Board Will classify the names
Of non-enemy firms dealing in the
same commodities who may serve as
substitutes for the blacklsted con-
Germs. In every case the board will
take pains 10 assure itself through
consular officers or other agencies that
the substitutes aye not acting as
agents 10 viii not however, assume
responsibility for their financial stand
ing or brokers for those blacklisted.
In Issuing the enemy trading list Of
ficials make It plain that 1t cannot be
made complete, and that those mer-
chants trading with enemy firms not
mentioned in it are in no measure re-
lieved from prob billions and penalties
contained In the Trading With the
Enemy Act. II Is considered certain
however, that until an sections Of the
list have been issued the law Of ne
cessity viii DE enforced with some de
gree Of laXity. Although innocence OF
wrongful intent does not excuse viola
ton ~ the law, officials see that many
firms are likely 10 trade with con-
Germs which might be classed as enc
my houses before full information is
obtained.
The names in today's list were COM
piled by the War Trade Boards intelli-
gence division with the assistance Of
commercial attaches and consular on
GERS. II viii be extended in the coun-
tries listed as rapidly as additional in
short time to other countries. Add
lions and various will be published
probably twice a month.
Issuance OF the list recalled the Wig
orous protest made by this government
to Great Britain when the first British
blacklist, containing the names Of many
American firms. first was published. The
British reply, however was considered
In many quarters here as establishing
the legality Of the action. The negotia-
tions were In allegiance when the ques-
ton was eliminated by the entry OF the
United states into the war. The Brit
ish Foreign once stood upon its con-
fention that the measure was purely
a municipal regulation prohibiting resi-
dents Of Great Britain from trading
with persons found TO be rendering
service to the enemy.
Most Of the firms named In the sec
ton Of The list issued tonight bear
German names. although others evil
IDENTIFY are OF English. spanish, French
and Portuguese derivation. The list as
1t applies % Brazil, contains the great
est number Of lrms, with Mexico sec
ond.
The announcement OF the list said II
was issued at the urgent request OF
Americans engaged in foreign trade
who sought government guidance 10
their efforts TO observe the law
The provision OF the trading with the
enemy act under which the list is is
sued. reads
It shall be unlawful for any person
10 the United States. except with tho
license Of the President. as provided In
81 e.