Evening star., 1939-11-25
Allies Imports Curb
Peri|s Americas
Trade Policy
Protests by Producers
May Be Heard During
Next Congress

British and French wartime
measures restricting imports of
luxury" products from the United
States threatened new complica-
tions today in the administration
fight for the life of its reciprocal
trade policy.
The United Kingdom has halted
until further notice" her pur-
chases of nearly a score of Ameri-
can products covered by the Anglo
American trade treaty, well-in-
formed sources here disclosed.
Apples and pears, motor cars,
cash registers, vacuum cleaners,
musical instruments, sports equip
ment, some cosmetics and soaps are
among the goods affected. It was
estimated British purchases of
products now cut off amounted to
more than $21 100000 in 1896.
The extent of French restrictions
is not clear here as yet. France is
requiring permits for all imports
and is granting no permits for ap-
pies, pears or tobacco shipments to
her colonies.
Contend Action Is Necessary.
The allies contend a ban or dras-
tic restrictions on imports of ar
tlcles considered luxuries is nec-
essary to conserve their foreign
exchange for purchases of airplanes
and other essential war supplies
here.
Thus, total American exports to
Britain and France may not drop
OH materially, but the business will
be shifted from many producers
who proflted under the reciprocal
trade arrangements to war material
producers.
Protects of the adversely affected
producers may be heard in discus
slons during the next session of
Congress when a bitter political
tight is expected over the question
OF extending authority to negotiate
new trade agreements. The au-
thority expires June IL unless re-
enacted
Secretary of State Hull, well rested
after a Georgia vacation, took per-
sonal command yesterday of the
defense of his trade treaty program
against a chorus of criticisms that
has been rising as the date for
opening of Congress approaches.
Charges Facts Misrepresented.
Aside from the question of war
time operation of the policy, many
Democrats have joined Republicans
IN charging that concessions granted
IN the reciprocal treaties have al
lowed foreign merchandise to COM
pete with American goods, particu-
larly agricultural products.
Secretary Hull told reporters yes
terday most of the criticism came
from sources that either Intention
ally or unintentionally misrepre-
sented the facts. He declared the
trade agreements had benefited
American labor, industry and agri-
culture by millions of dollars with
out hurting any one.
Mr.. Hull contrasted an increase in
| oSA ASuAeo3 aA CapOI 10 IL Olll VOIL ,UUU,UUU
in 1882 to $828,000,000 in 1888 with
a drop from S1,693 ,0O0,0 in 1929 to
the low figure of 1882 as demonstrate
ing benefit of the program to Amer
ican farmers.
Policy Seen as Peace Aid.
He also insisted such a reciprocal
trade policy as the administration
has developed must be a funda-
mental part of the foundation of
any permanent world peace.
Britain and France are not vio-
lating their trade agreements with
this country by restricting imports
OF goods they consider non-essen-
tlal, since the treaties give each con-
tracing nation the right to impose
import restrictions if it becomes en-
gagged in war.
The State Department has dis
closed, however, that it was dis
cusslng with British officials easing
OF the ban on imports of American
apples and pears There has been
no mention of discussions concern
Ing the other affected products.
1t is possible for this Govern
ment to terminate the agreement if
1t considers its interests injured
sufficiently to justify such action,
but the administration obviously
would be reluctant to do this be-
cause it would sacrifice benefits that
might be expected when the war is
over.
Items Included in List.
Trade agreement items for which
the United Kingdom is reported re-
quiring import licenses and for
which none will be issued until
further notice" include fresh apples
and pears, canned asparagus, canned
sweet corn and tomato Juice, pecan
nuts, cash registers and parts, dry
cleaning and laundering machines.
vacuum cleaners, motor cars, felt
base floor coverings, oil baize, musi-
cal instruments, some perfumery
and toilet preparations, sports ap-
pliances and apparatus, some soap,
shaving soap and cream and wom-
ems leather handbags.
In the case of cash registers, dry
cleaning and laundering machines
and musical instruments, it was
said, applications for licenses would
be considered by the Board of Trade
in special circumstances.
Licenses were being required and
were apparently being issued for a
number of other commodities, it was
reported, and great number of
products were subject to kingdom