New-York tribune., 1917-05-23
Countries Contiguous to
Germany Will Be Put
on Rations
~
Constraints To Be
Imposed on Trade
Service of Non.Combatant
Nations Ships May Be
Required for Allies
tFrom IN. rribuns BuresuI

Washington, May 22.-The place rec
served in this world for neutrsls 10
becoming rapidly more parlous and
uncomfortable. The economic power
Of the United States, hitherto their
great reliance. is now about to BE-
turned against them. As the Allies
have restricted exports TO all neutrals
suspected Of trading with Germany, 50
will the United States, in order that
supplies may not leak through to the
enemy. The American government may
60 even further and require neutrsls
to use their ships in Allied service, on
pain Of being cut of from this coun.
try's markets.
Rationing Of Neutrsls
The rationing Of neutral countries
contiguous to Germany, it is known,
was one of the chief subject matters
considered at the recent conferences
with the War Missions. Though il 10
practically assured that the United
States will participate in the sllied
policy toward neutrals, officials do not
conceal the fact that this country's
position is considerably embarrassed
by its previous charge in q note to the
British Foreign Office that the block
ade of Germany was illegal and in.
defensible."
The State Department has guarded
with the closest secrecy the conclusions
reached with the British mission 70.
garding trade with Holland. switser.
land. Norway. Sweden and Denmark. II
is known, however. that the policy 70
be pursued BY -thiS-country hss tssa
outlined. II is known also that the
power to embargo exports, asked BY
the Administration, is intended for use
as a war measure not wholly connected
with the economic situation in the
United States. II may be invoked
against any country which may carry
on commerce with the Central Empires.
Coercion of Shipping
There was an intimation to-day. for
the first time, that the embargo would
be used also to persuade neutral ves'
sells to transport commodities for the
Entente countries. Trade being ex~
change, it is argued, that its reciprocal
nature would be destroyed IL. in an ex.
traordnary time like the present, some
countries were permitted to benefit
from it without making any returp
therefor.
Great Britain already has put the
principle into operation through her
bunker coal and similar regulations.
Ships receiving benefits from English
shipping and trading facilities must
make a return in service. So in trad
ing with the United States. countries
receiving the benefits from such trade
must make, in the opinion Of we'll in
formed persons here, a reasonable re-
turn for them. The ordinary money
con nsideration Is no. sufficient. for the
United States stands in far less need
Of the money derived from purchases
made in this country by the neutrsl
European countries than the need Of
those countries for the products they
buy here.
Neutral ships calling at and receiving
cargoes at American ports wouidv
therefore, probably be required to make
one trip to an Allied port for every
trip to a home port, or possibly the
ratio might be two to one in favor OF
the neutral country. The character or
the cargo to be transported to such
Allied ports would be decided by the
needs Of the country for which the
cargo might be destined.
Dangers Within
The fact has not been overlooked
that the further development Of the
rationing policy carries with IL the dan
ger of serious difficulties between the
United States and the Entente nations
OF, the one hand and the neutral eouns
tries on the other. Several nsutrals
might be compelled by circumstances
10 choose whether to comply with
Americas requirements, face revolu.
tions at home owing to economic dis
tress or join one Of the two sets OF bel
ligerents.
Revolutionary disturbances might be
feared in the Scandinavian countriss
and in Spain should the economic prsss
sure caused by an American embargo
become unendursble. Switzerland and
Holland would suffer intensely II de-
MED the provilege OF purchasing 10
America. "a
There has been little doubt since.
the commencement OF the war that Hol-'
land and Switzerland would maintain
their policies Of neutrality through the
entire conflict. barring actual invasion.
Economic hardships probably would
not coerce either country to enter the
war. As regards the Sesndinavian
countries and Spain. however, the situ-
alton is very different. and their atti,
tudes furnish one Of the most dimeult
problems to deal with in connection
with the further development Of the
rationing programme by the United
States in association with England.
How Neutrals Might Choose :.
II driven to the necessity Of making