Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-09
petition and distribute supplies scienti-
f1cally and economically.
Expert Licenses Likely,


Expert Licenses Likely.
Tho United States will cooperate as far
as possible In maintaining the British
| blockade. America will participate
through consuls In tho rationing OF Hol-
land and Scandinavia, but probably will
replace the present system OF British
letters of assurance" by n system OF
export licenses. As far az possible the
enormous system built up by the British
will be maintained, and means will be
taken to prevent American products from
reaching firms dealing regularly with the
enemy
serious Of all The british left no doubt
that the April rate of destruction Of ton
mage by submarines approached the point
or fatality The American building pro-
gram has been enrresponains,y expedited,
ana one OF Eneiand'a greatest shipping
experts summoned across tho water to
supply greater details than tho departed
mission possessed,
The British have disclosed means of
lurther curtailinH tho wasteful use OF
tonnage which are largely included in
Dill now before Congress. Luxuries
and non-essentials probably will be
barred from export to save cargo space
and keep all vessels possible out of the
danger zone
Many OF the seized German ships have
oeen turned over to the French, Italians
ana Russians upon the British state
ment that England has enough tonnage
fof herself and is strained only to meet
the needs of her allies. The shipping
board. however. has decided not to pool
All American shipping with the other
allies In the international committee in
London owing to the need of imports
from outside the war zone.
\ definite understanding has been
reached to cover both American and
Canadian wheat for sale to the allied
wheat executive committee. but the de-
tails will not be given out at once be-
cause of the effect 1t would have on the
market. Canada will cooperate fully
with this country. probably through the
proposed food administration bureau.
and will agree to the control of prices
II that policy is adopted here in legis-
lation now before Congress. The wheat
executive committee has supplied the
figures of its needs. expressed conf
dence that they can be met and shown
how the results will be allotted among
the various allies,
Buying Of Munitions.
Munitions control and purchase will
be similarly centralized through the al
lied buying committee. though without
price control. The council of national
defense has charged itself with so in
creasing manufacture to provide for
the American war army without cutting
off exports vitality needed abroad.
The United States is considering the
invitation extended by the British that
tives to sit on the allied commissions
In London. including those on wheat. mu-
nitions. shipping and general supplies.
In finance the mission has secured gov
eminent loans to England at 3ls per cent.
or. at a cost to this government and at a
saving Of " to per cent to the British.
The military results of the mission are
involved with those OF the French mis-
sion and the plans of the American gen.
erai staff. 1t is very difficult. therefore.
to say just what should be attributed to
their visit Undoubtedly the French
were eagerly responsible for the decision
to send at once to France eXpedi-
| tionary force Of about q, 900 men. a divi-
sion of nine regiments. railroad engineers
and six base hospitals.
The British visitors. however. were
able to clear ,away many doubts as to
training and other technical matters.
England has faced the same problems
that this country will face Of sending
a newly organized force into q foreign
land, and the fruits of her experience
have been invaluable in guiding Amer
lean officials. Lessons learned by Eng
land have proved decisive on some
points of policy.
The naval results are probably least
conspicuous. as the American navy was
here were largely technical and on
points that cannot be made public.
Most of the strategy is being arranged
through Rear Admiral Sims in London
who left this country just as war was
declared. American destroyers already
were assembled ready to go abroad
when the mission arrived.
The mission found it necessary to
leave a number of its experts here as
attaches OF the embassy to help handle
the enormous amount Of new work de-
veloped. Lord Eustace Percy and G. J.
Phillips will continue trade discussions
and Godfrey Butler of the foreign Of
| flee will continue his services to the
press. A house near the embassy has
been taken as an overflow office.