Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-07-14

WdSuluSIUu. - government CCuIIOl
of American exports, authorized in
provision of the Espionage act, was
ordered put into operation July Is by
President Wilson in a proclamation
placing under license shipments to ali
countries of the most important eX-
port commodities.
Americas Needs First.
In statement accompanying the
proclamation the President declared
the Governments policy will be, first,
to give consideration to American
needs; next, to meet as far as possible
the requirements of the Allies, and,
lastly, to supply the neutral countries
wherever practicable. 1t is made clear
that every effort will be made to see
that no supplies reach the Central
Powers.
The commodities named in the list
put under control are COAL coke, fuel
oils, kerosene and gasoline, including
bunkers; food grains, -four and meal,
fodder and feeds, meats and fats; pig
iron, steel biilets, ship plates and
structural shapes, scrap iron and scrap
steel, ferro manganese, fertilizers,
arms, ammunition and explosives.
Food Embargo Expected.
The inclusion of foodstuffs in the
proclamation lends color to statements
that the Administration is considering
the advisability of complete embargo
for so 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 oppor-
tunity to present full program of
their requirements.
The President in his statement said
the Government was trying first to
ameliorate present food conditions and
conditions that are expected to arise
between now and the next harvest.
Many officials, alarmed at the wheat
shortage and the heavy drain the
Allies and neutrals are making on
every kind of American food supplies,
are urging an immediate embargo on
food shipments
Hold On Shipping Desired.
Through control of coal and fuels
the Government intends to take a firm
grasp on shipping. An arrangement
under negotiation will give the Ameri-
can and British Governments control
not only of all allied tonnage but of
neutral vessels as well. Ships now
on runs not regarded as necessary to
a successful conduct of war will be
forced into trades considered more es-
sential, and vessels now held in port
through fear of submarine attack will
be required to go into service.
Control Of iron and steel was made
necessary by war demands on the iron
and steel industries. A shortage of
steel in this country is threatened be-
cause Of the large amount that is be-
ing diverted to munitions manufac-
ture, and the construction of the Gov
ernment's merchant fleet. Japan's
heavy purchases of steel plates for
merchant shiptuilding made necessary
that plates be put under control. At
the same time this action gives. the
Government weapon with which to
force Japanese tonnage into the trans
atlantic trades.
Specific Rules Soon.
Specific regulations governing food
exports and shipments of other COM
m0ditieS named in tho lict GRO cvpect-
ed to be issued by the President with
in few days. Even if a complete
embargo is not placed on food exports
for time it is known many restric-
lions will be made The Exports
Council, comprising three Cabinet
members and the food administrator,
is drawing up program to be sub
mitted to the President Immediately.