COMMENCES TO-MORROW

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 40, 17 February 1915, Page 7

COMMENCES TO-MORROW

BRITISH SHIPOWNERS' PHILOSOPHIC CALM ISGERMANYWAVERING? GREAT BRITAIN & THE WAR cm STATESMEN? REASSURING SPEECHES SOCIALISTS AND PEACE IN THE BATTLE AREA

Continental neutrals are awaiting with anxiety the dawning of to-morrow, for with it comes the beginning of the threatened German blockade. Not so the shipowners in England, who are not alarmed, and await Thursday with philosophic calm. They are prepared for losses, but do not believe the German submarines will be permitted a long career of murder. The Times is of opinion that the Admiralty will bring the blockade to an immediate and humiliating end. There is more than a suspicion that Germany is wavering in her determination for a full blockade, judging by the hint given by Count yon Bernstorff to Ms,* .Bryan, American Secretary of State. The further remarks by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Lloyd' George), in his survey of the financial and economic position arising out of the war, are interesting reading. He points out that Britain, Prance, and Russia will contribute to every loan to the smaller States involved ' in the war; others preparing for war would Jbe well equipped. Mr. Winston Churchill's statement on .the condition of the Navy is also inspiring. Recruiting in England has been brisk, and the military correspondent of The Times states that if it maintains its present standard it will reach the three-million mark. He declares that Great Britain has. almost already become a 1 first-class military power. From the war areas the news is meagre. In the fighting at Guinchy, near La Bassee, on Sunday j sis thousand British were engaged, and the casualties were considerable, but the German losses heavier. In the Carpathians there < have been further actions, the Russians claiming successes. Austrians in force are said to be advancing in Bukowina.