Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-03
EMBARGO PLACED
ON IRON AND STEEL
Order of President Gives United
States Control Of Worlds
Shipping.
MAY BE MISTRESS OF SEAS
Likely to Emerge From War
With Greatest Mercantile
Marine Afloat.
MAY BE MISTRESS OF SEAS

oi the "OTiu tHe dileI tiie
con'iict she may emerge as mistress
of the seas with the greatest mercan-
tile marine afloat.
This became apparent to-day when
President Wilson issued an order plac-
ing an embargo on the export of steel
and iron products. Every ounce OF
steel that might enter into the build
ing of ships will be kept in this coun-
try after August Is. This efectually
will prevent any foreign country OH
tanning supplies from this country for
the upbuilding of merchant marine
TO dominate the seas at the close of
the
Japan. it is believed. will suffer a
heavy blow. Immense quantities of
steel have been exported to the Orient
in recent months for use in shipbuild-
ing. Progressive Japanese statesmen
have boaSted that after the war Japan
would be mistress of the Pacific and
also have a large share of the trade
in the Atlantic. England and France
two great shipbuilding countries. will
suffer along with Japan. Munitions and
rails may go TO the allies, but steel
plates and structural shapes are taboo.
RULING QUICKLY CONSTRUED
BY OFFICIAL WASHINGTON
The presidential ruling. ambiguous
at first. was quickly construed by Of
ficial Washington in its true meaning
The order. entitled additional In
structions to the Secretary of Com
merce, for the Guidance of the Division
of Export Licenses in Future Ship
ments of Steel and Iron Products and
Explosives supersedcs all previous
regulations. 1t provides:
First. that all shipments to those
nations associated with the United
States in the war are, until further
notice. to be licensed freely without
reservation and without restriction,
except iron and steel plates. pig iron,
iron and steel scrap and steel billets
for which licenses shall be granted in
| case said articles are destined for ac-
| tual war purposes or will directly con-
| tribute thereto.
| Second, licenses which NAV he
| properly issued will be granted for
shipments of all iron and steel plates
and structural shapes and other ar
ticles properly included under the gen
cral headings. under the following
conditions only:
"Q) The application for such license
must be received by the Department
OF Commerce, division OF EXPORT
licenses. Washington. on or before
August 10. 1917.
CD Such articles shall be complete
ly made up and manufactured on or
before August 10. 1917.
'(3) Such license shall be valid. and
shall indicate that it is valid. only in
case such shipments are covered by
railroad or ocean bill OF lading dated
on or before August IS, 1917"
In defining the terms explosives"
used in the proclamation. the follow
ing chemicals are included:
Ether. alcohol. sulphur. suiphuric
acid and its salts. acetone, nitric acid
and its salts. derivatives of benzoL
phenol (carbolic acid) and its deriya-
tires. derivatives CT toluol, mercury and
It's salts. ammonia and its salts. clyce
rine. potash and its salts and ali evan
ides
by preventing the importation OF
steel for ship construction 10 all coun-
| tries. the United States holds tho re,ns
of the seas. The great steel resources
OF the country Will be divided between
the general munition board of the
Council of National Defense and m.
United state Shipping Board. What
Is left >Iter these two agencies have
presented their demands will he turn
ed into rails for Russia ard France.
ADMIRAL CAPPs FACES
MOST GIGANTIC TASK
Admiral Capps. general manager of
me Emergency Fleet Corporation. rs
facing about the most gigantic task
ever assigned single man. tf. must
'urh the great quantities Of steel into
ships. He Will receive unlimited power
| In the construction Of fabricatine steel
pants and the Communicating Of plants
tor uses of the government He dis
cussed the communicating OF plants
with the members of the Shining
Board to-day. and 1t is likely his pro-
gram Will be announced before Satur
day.
In preparation for the MANAGEMENT
or the great merchant marine which
VIII be created under the present pIar.
the shipping Board has before il a ten
'atiVe scheme for the appointment of
| n chief OF operations. This one ma,
practically Will control the SHINING
OIL the world. He will have the man.
asement Of the great fleet to be built
thc vessels comma ndeered and the ves
se!s purchased abroad. Through the
export Council he will exercise iuris-
uic'lon over all neutral shipping touch
ing at United States ports. His word
VIII be hnal-no ships may leave an
american port without his sanction:
no ship may clear empty unless he an
proves.
The communicating program under
consideration by tho Shipping Board
would bring under the Jurisdiction OF
the chief of operations close to 4.ooo.-
600 tons within the next thirty days.
Il was estimated to-day. This would
consist of government vessels.
vessels commandeered and neutral YES
| sells impressed into the coastwtse trade
The man who is to direct this gigantic
fleet has not yet been selected. He
VIII be the biggest shipping expert
J tho government can obtain.