Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-18
RAT|ON|NG NEUTRALS
= IS BEING DISCUSSED
May Allow Holland, Norway, Swe.
den, Denmark, Switzerland and
Spain Only What They Need.

Rationing of Holland, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and
Spain was discussed formally at the
State Department today by Foreign
Secretary Balfour. Secretary Lansing.
Secretary Redfe1d and British and
American trade experts. Gen. Bridges
and Sir Eric Drummond attended the
conference.
Later Mr. Balfour had luncheon with
Assistant Secretary Phillips. and this
afternoon he planned to meet Signor
Enrico Arlotta. member of the Italian
war commission, other members of
which are on their way to this coun-
try.
A second important conference this
morning was that of Admiral de Chair
with officials of the Department Of
Commerce, where certain inventions,
Investigated by bureaus of the de-
partment. were discussed.
Following the conference at the State
Department Gen. Bridges again went
to the War Department. Mr.. Ralfour
was to dine at the British embassy
and Sir Eric Drummond left this aft
ernoon for a week end stay in New
York.
To Limit the Exports.
At the State Department conference
the necessity of limiting exports strict
ly to the countries named. both to pre-
vent their finding their way to enemy
territory, and also to conserve every
possible ton of allied shipping for the
most ESSENTIAL work. was discussed.
A general understanding was reached as
to the complete participation of the Unit
ed States in the rationing system already
developed by the allied nations The de-
tailed working out Of the agreements,
however depends on the enactment of
legislation giving the President power of
embargo and granting the shipping board
control over all cargo space.
The allies. in the first two and half
years of war, have built up a most elab-
plies imported to countries contiguous to
Germany to maintain their normal stocks.
Voluminous statistics have been collect
ed to assure the safeguarding of the neu-
trails necessities. Semi official agencies
have been established in several of the
countries to cooperate in this plan and
guarantee that attested imports will not
fall into enemy hands.
Confirming Their Statistics.
The British have submitted all these
statistics to the American officials, who,
in turn, have added valuable supple
mentary information collected by Ameri-
can consuls while this country was still
neutral.
The rationing problem was reported
in full today by subcommittee con-
sisting of Lord Eustace Percy, Dr. E.
L. Pratt, chief of the bureau Of foreign
and domestic commerce. and Wilbur J.
Carr, chief of the consular bureau. A
report on trading with the enemy was
presented by Sir Eric Drummon, So
licitor Lester II. Woolsey of the State
Department., and F. NJ. Halstead, chief
of the customs bureau,
The Scandinavian countries have
shown alarm over a possible extension
of the rationing system and have point
ed out that any further restrictions
will vitality endanger their economic
safety. Several nations. it is under
stood, will send commissioners to this
country to secure as generous arrange
ments as possible, the Swedish dele
gate, Herman l.. f. Lagercrantz, al
ready having reached New York.
Today's meeting was not regarded as
final except in SO far as it agreed to the
general principles involved.
Foreign Minister Balfour and a large
number of the British mission party
will pay visit of courtesy to the south
tomorrow by going TO Richmond, the
capital of the Confederacy.
The party will leave Washington on a
special train tomorrow morning and
return tomorrow evening.