The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-11
EMBARGO DECREE ISSUED.
CONTROL or AMERICAN Ey.
PORTS Is OPERATIVE.
Arcsident Issues Commodities PrOcIa-
matiOn--FoOd Embargo Insisted
Upon Country's Needs First, Then
ihose of Aliics--NO supplies for
TeutOns.

washington. July S.-Governmen
control of American exports authoriz
ed In provision of the espionage ac
was ordered put into operation Ju,,
10 by President Wilson tonight in ,
proclamation putting under licens,
shipments to all countries of the mos
important export commodities.
The president declared the govern.
mcnt's policy will be first To civ,
consideration TO American needs
ncxf to meet as far as possible the re.
quirements of the allies, and lastly +,
supply the neutral countries wherev.
er practicable. 1t is made clear tba,
every effort will be made tn SEQ that
no supplies reach the central powers.
The commodities named in the list
put under control are coal, coke. fuel
oiis' Kerosene and gasoline. including
Dunkers; food grains, flour and meal,
fodder and feeds, meats and fats MIC
iron. steel billets. ship plates and
structural shapes. scrap iron and
scrap steel. ferro-manganese, fertili
zers' arms. ammunition and explo-
sives.
The inclusion of foodstuffs in the
proclamation lends color to statements
that the administration is considering
the advisability of complete embar-
so Tor 60 days on all food shipments
to give the country time to ascertain
the amount OF its supplies and TO give
allied and neutral countries an op-
to present a full programme
Of their requirements.
The president said the government
was trying first to ameliorate present
food conditions and conditions that
ire next to harvest. Many officials,
harmed at the wheat shortage. and
he heavy drain the allies and neutrals
ire making on American food SUD-
plies, are urging an immediate em-
largo on food shipments.
Through control of coal and fuels
ne government intends to take a
'rm grip on shipping. An arrange
nent under negotiation v. give the
american and British governments
ontroi not only of all allied tonnage
'ut OF neutral vessels as we'll. Ships
low on runs not regarded as neces-
ary to a successful conduct of the
var Will be forced into trades consid-
red more essential and vessels now
'eld In port through fear of subma-
Inc attack will be required to go into
ervice.
Control of iron and steel was
made necessary by war demands on
he iron and steel industries. A short
lge of steel in this country is threat
ned because OF large amount that IS
'cing diverted to munitions mann.
acture and the construction of the
governments merchant fleet. Japan's
'eavy purchases OF steel plates for
merchant ship building made neces-
AIRY that plate be put under control.
Specific regulations governing food
Exports and shipments of other com.
nodities named i'm tOday's list are OK
'ected To be issued by the president
within a few d"ys. Even IL n COM
plctc embargo Is not placed on food
exports for a time IL is known MANY
restrictions will be made.
One argument advanced by adyo.
Gates Of n complete embargo on food
shipments is That the neutral coun-
tries and the allies have presented en-
tirely different statements regarding
the amount of foodstuffs going from
The neutral countries and intends to
cooperate with them.
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