Public Statement Issued by the War Trade Board, May 4, 19181
A new edition of the enemy trading list, revised to March 15, 1918, has just been published by the War Trade Board, combining and bringing down to date all previously published lists, supplements, and announcements of persons and associations with whom it is illegal to trade. It covers for the first time the European countries and other countries for which no American list had previously been issued,2 earlier American lists having applied only to the countries of Latin America.
The list contains some 5,000 names, but the listing of a partnership is to be understood as the listing of all the partners individually, and the listing of one member of a partnership is to be understood as the equivalent of listing the partnership and each of the other members. The list is not complete, the board having listed only individuals and associations concerning whom it had adequate information to justify this procedure. A warning is therefore given against trading with persons with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that they are enemies or allies of enemies or are conducting or taking part, directly or indirectly, in trade with enemies or allies of enemies.
Very soon after the passage of the Trading with the Enemy Act it became evident that cooperation by the Associated Governments and uniform action in the treatment of enemy trade cases, as far as possible under their variant laws, were essential to the efficient working of an economic offensive and the full accomplishment of its purposes to prevent assistance reaching the enemy. Moreover, suggestions had been received from American importers and exporters that steps be taken in this direction. In the interest of accomplishing this desirable end Great Britain, France, and the United States, aided by a spirit of cordial good will, have adopted practically uniform lists for all countries. Italy has also approved this policy in principle.
It is hoped that this cooperation of the Governments concerned will result in a continuance of uniformity in the lists, so that in net effect they will form one consolidated enemy trading list.