SEVERING OF SUPPLIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 9

SEVERING OF SUPPLIES.

„ BRITAIN’S POLICY.

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 23. A communique issued by the Ministry of Information states that, in taking measures to cut off Germany's supply of goods from overseas, Britain is hot infringing the international law as the German propagandists declare. Neutrals have a perfect right totrade with Germany but, equally, Britain has, by international law, the right to intercept contraband goods destined for Germany. Belligerents’ right to treat foodstuffs as contraband is also upheld by the Courts. It is not expected that any belligerent will stand bv and allow an enemy freely to import the means of carrying on the war. ’

Beyond exercising her rights in this manner, Britain makes no claim to regulate the economic relations between neutrals and Germany or to limit the commercial freedom of neutrals. However, if inconvenience' is caused to neutrals, Britain is always ready to take into sympathetic consideration a neutral country’s need to maintain the supply of sufficient commodities from overseas for the conduct' of its economic life. COFFEE FOR HITLEII.

Some amusement has been aroused by the .story obtained from an authoritative source that the contraband committee has ordered tlie seizure for judgment by the Prize Court of 20 bags of coffee weighing more than two tons, consigned “Aden to Hamburg, August 12,” ’ and addressed to .“His Excellency Herr Hitler, President of the Republic of Great Germany. Freight paid.” There is justification for the leader’s foresight in ordering ample supplies of coffee “for the duration,” as coffee is a commodity which the mass of the German people now have to do without in the interests of the Nazi State.