THE BLACK LIST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 867, 20 November 1916, Page 9

THE BLACK LIST.

SUPPRESSING ENEMY TRADE. AN INCIDENT FROM JAPAN. ' [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, November 20. Readers of the official New Zealand "Gazette" have had many illustrations of the searching character of Britain's "black list," one of the weapons forged by the Imperial authorities for the destruction of enemy trade and the strengthening of the blockade of the Central Powers. The "black list" covers an extraordinarily wide field and proves that the Foreign Ollice and the Board of Trade have long arms for enemy traders. An incident bearing upon the point is related by Mr J. H. Flockton, who recently returned to Wellington from a visit to Japan. During August last the municipal authorities in Tokio summoned three prominent doctors to the city officers and told them that they were suspected by the British Embassy of being connected with a German firm doing business in Japan. Two of the doctors were professors in the j Imperial University of Tokio and the third doctor was superintendent of a hospital. They were, all Japanese citizens by birth. The three doctors were warned that if their explanations were not satisfactory they would be placed.upon the British black list. A similar warning was extended at the same time to a Japanese lawyer doing business in Kobe. The Japanese professional men evidently had no doubt about the efficacy of the list, and they hastened to make their explanalions. "Whereas the British authorities appear to be under the impression that I am directly or indirectly connected with the business of Goiser and Bilberl. a foreign firm under the direction of German subjects in Tokio," wrote one of ihe doctors, "and whereas the British authorities have referred the matter to the Japanese authorities concerned, I would say that if my name is included in the Black List, as threatened by the British authorities, it will not only impair my reputation as a doctor, but will mar my family name. Further the statement will cause the public to think that I am acting against the popular wish, besides being a traitor. How can I remain passive on this point?" The doctci did not remain passive and was able to announce that he had sold his shares and severed all connection with the German firm. The other gentleman took similar action. The incident attracted some attention in Japan and several newspapers protested that Britain was going too far in threatening to apply Ihe black list to Japanese citizens in their own country. One Japanese newspaper, the "Kokumin," tactfully put all the blame upon the Government in Tokio. "Britain has prohibited trading with the enemy, and j similar measures have been adopted by Russia and France," it said. "The last-named two countries, however, 5 are not enforcing the measures with j such strict thoroughness as Great Britain. So long as war is waged not merely on the battlefield, but also by means of economic pressure, as in the present war, the Allies will probably be justified in laking the enemy trading measures they have adopted. It is desirable, therefore, I that this should be done, as far as , possible, within the limits of no! injuring the interests or feelings of j other people. It must therefore be j regarded as the height of absurdity I that Japanese officials, in their eagerness to please the British authorities, should make a false representation to them, casting discredit on Japanese of respectable standing, j This should he regarded as another ! instance of the incompetency of the I present Government." The protest could hardly have 'been made more tactfully.