Public Statement Issued by the War Trade Board, March 23, 19182
Under the power conferred upon him by the Trading-with-the-Enemy Act, the President, on February 14, 1918, issued a proclamation which required an import license for all articles from all countries.3 The chief purpose of this was to enable this Government to eliminate less essential imports to the end that tonnage might be conserved, and additional shipping be made available for the transportation of troops and supplies to Europe. Similar steps have been found necessary by the Allies, and England particularly has found it necessary to impose most drastic import restrictions in order to most effectively devote her shipping to the successful prosecution of the war.
For many weeks past a corps of specialists have been giving the closest study as to the manner in which this import restriction would be exercised, so that the greatest saving could be accomplished with the least injury to our ordinary commercial activities. The question was still further complicated by the earnest desire of this Government to affect as little as possible the industry and commerce of the countries associated with us in the war, and to work as little hardship as possible to neutrals. The question involves close cooperation with the Shipping Board and consultation with the State Department, the Treasury Department, the Food Administration, and other branches of the Government, as well as the War Trade Board, within whose province falls the actual administration of the control. As a result of these deliberations, the War Trade Board, through its bureau of imports, publishes the first list of restricted imports.
[Page 976]Applications for license to import the articles appearing on the list will not be granted, except under the following circumstances:
- (1)
- When the articles mentioned are actually shipped from abroad prior to April 15, 1918.
- (2)
- When coming by rail from Mexico or Canada when the goods in question originated in those countries or in others from which such goods are being licensed for import.
- (3)
- When coming as a return cargo from European points and then only (a) when coming from a convenient port, (b) when loaded without delay, and (c) when the importation from Europe is not specifically prohibited in said list. …
The following is the list of restricted imports, No. 1:
[Here follows a list of 82 items.1]