THE BLOCKADE.
The discussion of the blockade question has lately taken an undesirable turn in tho Mother Country, and today wo have cabled a summary of a speech in which Sir Edward Grey had to defend the Foreign Office against the charge that it has been nullifying the great work of the Navy. The reply was complete and convincing. It will come as a remarkable proof of the thoroughness of the blockade of Germany that of all the merchantmen stopped by the British Navy only three ships have been permitted to proceed on their journeys to neutral ports without tho submission, of tho cargoes to a close examination. It is not difficult to imagine the circumstances in which these shins were relieved from the rule of inspection. Tho position is that all trado to neutral European countries is carried, on now at tho will of tho British Navy. No direct trade with German port's is possible, but it is contended that a great deal of'contraband still reaches Germany through neutrals, and the charge against the Foreign Office is that it has prevented tho Navy from making the blockade absolutely effective. Sir Edward Grey contended, very rightly, that the rights of Britain could not be forced to the extent of incurring the active hostility of neutrals. We are unquestionably applying novel doctrines in- the blociiaue, subjecting the trade of neutrals to an unprecedented measure of interference, and the task of the Foreign Office has been to reconcile neutral nations to the restrictions. Agreements have been entered into with several States under which restrictions have been lifted from their trade, and the basis of tnc charge against the Foreign umce is really tn.at it is not permitting the Navy to take charge of the internal administration of the. States. The allegation is that neuVal nations are acting as Ucrman buying agents and that goods imported under "the agreement with Britain are being exported to Germany. By implication, therefore, the Foreign Office is held responsible for the good faith ot the neutral States. Tho logical outcome of the adoption of the views advocated by Sir Edward Grey's critics woiild be tho declaration of a state of war'between Britain and Holland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, because the restrictions demanded could only bo enforced against States with which Britain was at war. The whole question bristles with difficulties, and it seems to us deplorable that the anxieties of tho Government should be unwarrantably increased by the persistent attacks of disgruntled and unpatriotic newspapers. Already, as we have seen, there :s :i state of acute tension between Britain and the United States on the question, and however convinced wo may be that the Americans have small reason to complain we have to admit the existence of their rights and those of other neutral nations.
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Bibliographic details
Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17077, 28 January 1916, Page 6
Word Count
468THE BLOCKADE. Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17077, 28 January 1916, Page 6
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