AMERICA AND THE BLACK LIST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2871, 8 September 1916, Page 4

AMERICA AND THE BLACK LIST

The 'very outspoken comments of the Chief Justice on the reported attitude of America in retaliation for Great Britain blacklisting certain German-American firms will no doubt strike a responsive chord in many breasts. It certainly is repugnant to British ideas to have any nation attempting to dictate what we shall or shall not do in the matter of our own trading. But when this much is conceded, we must, confcss '• that the lengths to which Sir Robert Stout suggests we shoulcLgo by way of retaliation strike us not' only as inviting trouble, but as unnecessary. We much prefer Sik Robert's somewhat cqntemptuous reference to the threats made against us as being nothing more than "hot air." That probably expresses the position very well, and if such is the case we can afford to pursue a policy of masterly inactivity and await developments with some equanimity. Opinion in America is divided regarding the action of Great Britain in publishing the Black List, and it is only natural that the GermanAmerican element should seize the opportunity to stimulate antagonism to Britain and her Allies. It is not our business to help them with counter-threats of tracfe reprisals, which at the present juncture might seriously embarrass the British Government as well ns our friends in America. It is very doubtful lif the authorities at Washington would attempt to go to the extremes suggested, and should they do so it will then bo quite time enough for us to act. In tho meantime, much the best course to follow is to View the cable news with that suspicion and doubt which is very necessary in thp case of items emanating from America, and to soothe our ruffled feelings—if they are \ruffled —with the consoling thought that in all probability it will prove to bo nothing more than "hot air."