The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-09

Washington. July s.-President wfi-
son today issued his long expected ems.
barge proclamation and made 1t plain
that if the United States is to feed the
world she is going to control the busi-
ness with an iron hand.
The embargo includes every basic
IcommoditV- in the list Of things that
may not be exported without the III
cense of the secretary of commerce.
The president specifies every country
In the world. allied. neutral and enc
my, as countries to which the ems
hargoed commodities may not b
shipped.
But primarily the embargo was -
sued to check the export OF foodstufs
to neutrals adjacent to Germany. Tbs
president is determined that no more
eustenance shall reach our enemies
through these mediums.
Today's proclamation does not mean
that none of the commodities named
may be exported. They may be exc
ported only in such quantities AZ
First. to relieve the stringency and
high prices in our country.
Second, to cffectually prevent tia
neutrals from sending any poesblo
surplus into Germany, and
third. to provide as far as posMhaAt
fuel and iron supply among the ~.
tons Of the allied world.
The first effect Of the proclamation
will be the immediate organizations ins5
London Of the Buying Council for tn
Allies, Once csta blished this couneiE
will proceed with the purchase o1s
wheat through one central agency and
it's allotment to all the countries ~
the world outside the central POWERS.
The council Immediately will 60
tablsh an agency in the United Etat1o
for the purchase of our wheat. II ~
probable that the federal food A6.s
ministration will be asked to perfcr11
this function under the direction ox
Herbert c. Hoover.
America to Retain Control.
This step was not taken without
st 'enuous opposition both from tn
neutrals and from England. tn
president has finally been convinced
however. that the instrument OF com
troll must be placed in the hands of
allege, their present imports from thin
country are no more than enough to-
make up something like their Ovn
needs in view OF the cutting Oh AZ y
other sources OF supply like Russia and
Roumania. they will have to shoW
this to the exports council.
Neutrals Face Difficult Task.
And the exports council will hAxg9.
to be shown" beyond the shadow
OF doubt. This will be diflcult for
the neutrals to do. 1t is known heeG
that the governments own agen&4
have sized up the situation Abrood t.
a very thorough manner. Tho 49,
opinion Is that the recent figures madNS
public as to the amount Of foodakul
finding its way through neutrals 1n1G
Germany were very conservative
The president in a statement asep
planning the embargo proclamatias
said: xA1& "A
Americas Interest First. s5s
Tn controlling by license the exDa&&A
Of certain indispensable commod1t14GS5
from the United States. the goveeE
ment has frst and chiefly in View th3s
amelioration OF the food condtt3e&4#
which have arisen or are likely
arise in our own country before - =
crops are harvested. Not only II tI
conservation Of our prime food oS(
fodder supplies q matter which x5kr
concerns our own people. but tn 4
tention of an adequate supply a.
materials Is essential to our pr4G<[
OF military and naval constructt1
the continuance Of our necessary
mestic activities. We shall. thol&
similarly safeguard Al our fnn<m
tai supplisA
1T - chxtnusly the Apty Nd -
tInltsd states T. 1tbssattAG
- ELL