New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-05
British and American Off,
Gals Decide on First
Move in War
Aim to Help Blockade
May Force Neighbor Nations
to Enter War Against
Teutons

ashlngton. May I. Americas first
blow against Germany probably will be
economic This was decided to-day al
conference between the British com.
mission and state Department officials
held in Secretary Lansing's Office.
The United States at once will be-
gin TO limit the food exported to Scan
dinavia and Holland 10 the amount act
ually needed in those countries to feed
their citizens. In other words, neutral
nations adjacent to Germany will be
put on rations This, it is believed
will aid England's blockade and pre-.
vent foodstiffs from being imported
into Germany to any extent.
This may mean that Holland, Nor
way, Sweden and Denmark eventually
will face the alternatives Of declaring
war on Germany or of starving TO
death in peace.
According to reports received here,
Sweden and Norway are not far from
actual conflict with Germany now. The
latter nation has been enrsged by the
continued sinking of its ships and APP
parently IS preparing 10 strike Con-
ditions in Sweden are very serious.
The people in general. now that the
Russian menace has been removed. are
said TO be uneasy under the pro-Ger-
man rule of the present King, and it
has been rumored that revolution is
brewing there.
Feeding Allies Discussed
Besides the question of rationing neu-
trails the conference to-day also took
up the matter Of feeding our allies in
the most economical and most liberal
way.
The highest officials who will have
10 deal with these matters met in Joint
session TO coordinate and discuss the
results Of their various individual con-
ferences. For the American govern
ment there were present. besides Sec
rotary Lansing. Secretary Redield and
Dr. +. f. Pratt, OF the Commerce De
partment; Counsellor Polk and Solicit
tor WoOlsey. of the State Department,
and +. NJ. Halstead. chief Of the Gus
toms division Of the Treasury Depart
ment; and for the British. Mr. Balfour,
Sir Eric Drummond. his private secre-
tary. and Lord Eustace Percy, trade
expert.
The mass Of detail was found to be
80 great that two committees were
formed TO divide the work between
them and report later. One included
Lord Percy. DR.. Pratt and Wilbur J.
Carr, chief Of the consular service
and the other Sir Eric Drummond and
Messrs. Woolsey and Halstead.
The United States now has begun to
point ont to the Allies some OF its own
great necessities in certain trade lines
in which this country is entirely de-
pendent on them. Up TO the time the
United States entered the war many
products could be imported here only
If there were a surplus at the point OF
production over the needs Of the Allies,
and also on condition that agreements
be signed that the products be not al
lowed 10 fall into the hands Of the
enemy.
Wool Dealers Heard
Since the economic prosperity OF the
United States has become Of equally
vital concern to the Allies. a marked
disposition mas Decn SHOWN 10 cooperate
more freely than before TO prevent
shortage here.
To-day. for instance, a delegation of
wool dealers. who have been short OF
material because of the failure in the
Australian supply and the scarcity of
ships, were asked by the British Off
Gals to give definite figures to the
Department Of Commerce in order that
a joint arrangement might be worked
out.
1t is uncertain whether the elaborate
system built up during neutrality
through the British Embassy here
whereby American importers of many
basic products had to guarantee that
such products would not find their way
into German hands, will be abandoned
Under bills now before Congress. how
ever, it is thought that the United
States will have all the power neces.
sary to arrange such safeguards, and
that the present system would be su.
perhuous.
Nina Sinks Rritieh