President Wilson issued on the 8th inst. his Exports Embargo
Proclamation. The Proclamation, which opens with the words "Whereas the public safety requires that succour shall be prevented from reaching the enemy," prohibits the exportation from the United States without Government licence of food, grains, meats; fats, coal, coke, oils, fertilizers, arms, munitions, iron, and steel after July 15th. In a statement accompanying the Proclamation the President declares that in taking this action the Government has chiefly in view the improvement of the food conditions in the United States which have arisen or are likely to arise before new crops are harvested. Not only does the conservation of her prime food supplies vitally concern the people of the- United States, but the retention of an adequate supply of raw materials is essential to the Government's military and naval programme and the continuance of all domestic activities. It is obviously the duty of the-United Sites, he-continues, in liberating any surplus -products, to consider first the necessities of all the nations engaged in war against the Central. Empires. The American Government recognizes its duties to neutrals and does not wish to hamper them, but means only to fulfil its obvious obligations, and assure itself that neutrals are hus- banding their own resources and that its supplies will not become available directly or indirectly to feed the enemy. The 'American Press has welcomed this drastic Proclamation as "a great and- decisive weapon of war with which to exert a mighty economic forte for the benefit of ourselves and our Allies, and against our enemies."
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