The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-13
WILSON is GIVEN
POWER TO BEGIN
FOOD EMBARGO
Senate Approves Espionage
Bill With Clause to
Starve Germany.
EXPORTS IN HIS CONTROL
Licensing System Will Be Put
Into Effect to Force Neu-
trail Shipping.
EXPORTS IN HIS CONTROL

NAsHlNCTON, June ls.-tOHtTol OF
exports was given the Government to-
day when the Senate finally approved
the Administration espionage bill with
its embargo clause. The measure. now
puts into the hands of the Executive a
weapon by which 1t Is intended to stop
supplies entering Germany through
neutral countries.
Passage OF the bill removes 10 a great
extent the necessity of the British
blockade. since the United States, orig
inator Of most OF the exports that reach
the neutrals, will be in position, with
the AID Of the British machinery estab-
lished during the three years Of the war.
to see that the countries are supplied
with just enough food and materials for
their own needs.
The measure also gives another pow
erful weapon to the President in that
1t permits him to trade for articles con-
trolled by the Allies which heretofore
have been permitted to come to America
only in limited quantities.
Licenses for Export CargOes.
The United states. with an enormous
trade balance in its favor and largely
indie pendent Of the rest of the world for
raw supplies, can force release Of the
supplies 1t does need by exercising its
new power over exports
Fair control over shipping will re-
suit. AS administered. the act will re-
quire licenses for export cargoes and
under this arrangement the Government
can force neutral ships out Of harbors
where they have sought safety from SUBJ
marine attack into service to transport
Mt nv hnn1a
American and allied shipping, too, can
be required to carry cargoes to the des-
,inations the Government considers
should be supplied for proper conduct
Of the war.
The act probably will be administered
by the Department Of Commerce, with
an advisory board named from the
state. War Navy and Commerce and
Food Administration departments. The
State Department will decide questions
that involve International policy and the
Food Administration will have the final
word regarding food exports.
Wilson to Issue PrOclamat tiOn.
Officials say the measure is as essen
,al TO food administration as are the
food control bills. No matter how heavy
are foreign food purchases the Govern
ment by regulating shipments can ac-
complish as much in this direction as II
it controlled purchases outright.
The Commerce Departments bureau
OF foreisn and domestic commerce prob
ably will handle licensing details. A
procla nation to be Issued by the Presl-
dent within few days will outline an
organization. Already the bureau has
been working on a. plan and has notified
exporters that a licensing system will be
nut into effect within the near future.
In applying the new law the Govern
ments purpose. aside from preventing
supplies from reaching the enemy, will
| be to conserve all American resources
first, to make America effective In the
war second to make the Allies effective.
! and third, to befriend neutra!s friendly
to the alliance.
The power to readjust shipping routes
and sources of supply is expected to ef-
feet a tremendous saving in tonnage by
reducing long hauls. For instance.
| Spain might not be allowed to get Amer
| ican coal II she could Just as we'll get
coal from England.
The enormous mass Of figures col
! lected by the Allies in their rationing OF
| Holland and Scandinavia are. of course
available to this Government, and they
will be supplemented by the Independent
f. investigations OF American Consuls or
I the spot. 1t is essential not 10 allow I'M
ports into any country contiguous &c
Germany which can in any way be re-
exported or used to release native sup
plies for Germany.
The neutral nations have expressed
much concern over Americas possible
policy, and three OF them - Norway
Sweden and Switzerland-have sent spe'
cial commissions to this country to pre-
sent their needs and requirements. They
also have developed mass of statistics
as to their foreign trade, which they
hope will induce this country to be as
generous as is consistent with her owr
needs in the furnishing of supplies.
Americas final Incorporation into the
allied economic strength, with the legs
lation passed to-day. gives the alliance
the practical trade domination of the
whole world outside the German EN-
plres. The neutrals are practically help
less without allied shipping and coal.