NEUTRALS DANGER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4497, 14 March 1917, Page 5

NEUTRALS DANGER.

LIFEBUOYS FOR GERMANY

Viscount French is of opinion that the small neutral countries adjacent, to Germany are in danger of oemg over-run by the Teutonic armies. The question was put to him by hr. Edward Price Bell, London correspondent of the Chicago Daily News, and he replied: "I certainly think so. ’ Other questions asked by Mr Bell and Lord French’s answers are as follows: ~ "if Germany were to give rioila.no, Denmark. Norway, and perhaps Sweden the choice of joining her or being subjugated, what would be the effect on Germany’s military position:-” “The Subjugation of these other States,” replied Lord French, ‘‘will increase Germany’s military peuer in proportion as her military stiengt-i has become enchaneed by impressing the populations of the smaller countries she alreacy lias otei-iun. “Then are all these little States about Germany in the nature of liiebuoys that she might seize if she " ere sinking?” “Yes. I think so.’ “If there had not been an overwhelming case of charity in Belgium, what would the Allies have done?' “The strictlv military interests or Allies as regards Belgium, when Fiat country had been occupied, leaving out of "account all question of humanity, would have been to apply the blockade to Belgium in the same way as tho Central Empires themselves. The right to blockade friendly or neutral territory occupied by an enemy w clearly recognised by the Hague Conrent ion.” . Lord French spoke of the gigantic financial robbery by the Germans m Belgium. He said that this must nowamount to £100,000,000 at a rough estimate.