The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1918-02-15
ALL NATIONS FOREIGN TRADE
PLACEDUNDERL|CENSESYSTEM
BY PROCLAMATION OF WILSON
Regulation of Exports and I'M
ports Aimed to Assist in
Transporting Army.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 15.-Presl
dent Wilson to-day issued a procla-
nation placing the entire foreign
commerce OF this country under H.
cense. Effective Tomorrow. no com
noditles may be exported or imported
from or TO the United states except
by special license
Tho now restriction on imports was
deemed necessary because Of tho in
creased tonnage shortage and de-
mAnd for all available bottoms for
war supplies. II In ono OF tho most
far reaching steps President Wilson
has yet taken. involving ~ II does
delicate diplomatic questions and
sharp curtnilment not only OF Amori-
can industry but tho commerce OF
all neutrals.
The following explanatory state
ment was issued by the War Trade
l'Board:
''The President has to-day issued
! two proclamations which win become
effective tomorrow. The purpose and
effect Of these proclamatlons are to
subject to. control by license the en-
| tire foreign commerce OF the United
States and from and after Feb. i6.
1918, no commodities may be cx-
ported from this country or imported
into this country except under license.
Tho President has heretofore issued
several proclamations controlling GER
tain exports under the provisions OF
Title VII. OF the Espionage Act. and
one proclamation controlling the i'm
tho provisions OF Section IL OF the
Trading with the Enemy Act. The
military situation and the tonnage sit-
uation have made increasingly ap-
parent the necessity OF ,nstituting n
complete and thoroughgoing aontTo
OF all our exports and imports.
"rhe transportation OF our armies
to France and the maintenance OF a
continued now OF supplies and muni-
tions. needed 20 maintain them In
fighting trim, require tho use OF
every ton OF shipping which can pos
slbly be devoted to these purposes.
This demand must bo met, and II II
} becomes necessary to curtail our ex-
ports or imports. those ara measures
which are forced upon us by tho crit
ical tonnage situation and tho me-
cesslty Of availing ourselves ot every
! possible means of maintaining our
armies In France.
"The limitation OF exports In neces-
sary also TO conserve the products oil
e the country for The use OF our Owl
I people and the peoples OF the nationi
Q assoc lated with us In the war.
I I'VE must dispose OF this surplus
, in such a way as to aid. as far al
possible. those countries to the soutl
. | which have always depended upoI
- US; we must also dispose OF our sur
= plus in such a way that Germany an,
Q her allies will derive no bcnefit there
from. ana we must secure for our
selves In return shipping and sup
plies urgently needed.
"The promulgation Of these twI
Y proclamations does not mean an EN-
barge on exports or a prohibition o
imports, but places In the hands o
tho President the power to regulat
= which he will exercise through tn
war Trade Board and the Treasur,
Department.
"This power will be exercised wit
the single purpose OF winning tn
y war, and every effort will be mad
p. to avoid unnecessary interference
with our foreign trade and to impos
upon our exporters and importers n
~, restrictions except those involved !
Ia the accomplishment OF definite an
X necessary objects
M "As herat r fore licenses f,r tho eH
mort or import OF coin bullion, cur
rency, evidences OF debt or Of owner
ship OF property. and transfers c
credit will be issued by tho Treasur
n Department. Licenses for all othe
n exports and imports, including mer
chandise bunkcrs. ships supplies
SC, will be issued by tho War Trad
,c board"